Despite obstacles plaguing our fundraising challenge this year, we’re thrilled to say that Alasdair Walker crossed the finish line of the Great North Run in a respectable time of 2 hours and 18 minutes. And we’re on our way to meeting our fundraising target too.
As the biggest half marathon in the UK, more than 57,000 runners compete every year to take on the 13.1-mile challenge. Alasdair was among this year’s participants with an official time of 2:18:36, a little over his target time of two hours due to an injury.
Alasdair commented: “I’m so glad to have completed the race. I’m disappointed with the finishing time due to injury, but it’s not about me; it’s about the fantastic causes I’m raising money for. Today was an emotional journey but how can it compare to a diagnosis of blood cancer, Parkinson’s or polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR)?”
Originally, Jim Aitkenhead had planned to run the Great North Run alongside Alasdair, but injury and illness meant he had to pull out. Rob Handford, one of our Chartered Financial Planners, stepped up to the mark as a replacement. However, as the Great North Run is non-transferable, he’ll be running the Leicester Half Marathon on Sunday 14th October to encourage more donations.
This year, we’re fundraising for three incredible charities that work to support people battling medical conditions: Parkinson’s, Anthony Nolan, and PMR-GCA UK North East. All three are fantastic causes that are worthy of a donation and the effort put in to complete the races.
So far, we’ve received donations to reach 60% of the £2,000 target, which we’re hoping to beat before Rob crosses the finish line in a few weeks’ time.
You can still sponsor the efforts of Alasdair in the Great North Run and lend your support to Rob in the Leicester Half Marathon next month by donating here.
