Nineteen intrepid athletes will line up at the start of the London Marathon next weekend to raise money for YMCAs all over England.
The runners, many of whom have been training hard for more than six months, will be hoping to combat the 26.2 mile road race on Sunday 23 April in aid of their local YMCA charity and YMCA England, the National Council of YMCAs in England and Wales.
Runners are chalking up the miles for YMCA Bournemouth, YMCA Cambridgeshire & Peterborough, YMCA Milton Keynes, YMCA Norfolk, YMCA Wellington, YMCA East Surrey, YMCA Burton, Newbury YMCA, City YMCA, YMCA Humber, YMCA North Tyneside and YMCA North London.
Margie is one amateur athlete who’ll be ready to go next Sunday. She said: “I am running the Virgin Money London Marathon for YMCA to reach a personal fitness goal and in memory of my late husband Philip who died five years ago.
“Philip and I worked with teenagers and young people all our lives and the work done by the YMCA to help young people is incredible. I hope to raise as much as I can to support this worthy charity. To be able to run alongside 40,000 others who are on a similar mission will be awesome.”
Denise Hatton, CEO of YMCA England, said: “We’re delighted to see so many passionate YMCA supporters running the Virgin Money London Marathon for us this year.
“Anyone who has run a marathon before will know the level of commitment that goes into training and I hope the work YMCA is doing to support young people all over England and Wales will motivate our participants through the final hours of preparation and over the line on the big day.
“Every penny raised will be used to make a difference to the young people we serve. If you know anyone who is running this year, dig deep and give what you can to sponsor them so they can reach their fundraising targets”
Money raised by YMCA runners will be split between YMCA England and a local YMCA of their choice.
YMCA is looking for people to join our cheering point on Sunday 23 April. If you want to help get our runners over the line, email Eve Chadha, Fundraising Assistant
To find out more about raising money for YMCA England on our Fundraising pages.