Half Marathon fund raiser for Walton on Thames CC

I am attempting to run my first ever half marathon around the streets of Ealing on 29-September to raise much-needed funds for our local cricket club.

Walton on Thames Cricket Club is a generous community club run entirely by a truly amazing group of volunteers. It provides a wonderful, inclusive environment for children to develop and grow a love of sport where they are supported to express themselves and be the best they can be. The club sustains its senior teams from the investment made in its junior section. I have been involved coaching and managing my son’s team since he was 7; he is now 14 and made his senior debut this year. Funding is a constant challenge. In particular, the clubs nets will not get through another season. The club have been raising money for some time but need more. So I am doing this to help contribute to the cause and hopefully inspire others to think how they can raise additional funds.

13 miles might not be much of a challenge for some. But for me, it’s massive. I will be 52 when I do this and I’ve never attempted anything like this. I was the kid at school who was laughed at and picked last for everything because I had exercise-induced asthma and a propensity to collapse and violent vomiting during strenuous exercise. Decades of embarrassment, avoidance and self-loathing later when I became a parent, I decided I wasn’t prepared to be that person any more. I didn’t want to miss out on things with the kids and I wanted to be an example that they could achieve anything. And so I find myself here, taking on a challenge I would never have thought myself capable of. I don’t know if my aging legs will get me round but I will give it everything I’ve got. 

I lived in Ealing for 10 years before moving to Walton. They were good times and I’m hoping the nostalgia of these streets will help to drag me round.

Please give what you can. I know times are tough and this isn’t the usual charity that tugs at peoples heart strings. But keeping community clubs going is important and they need help. They give so much to so many. This means a lot to me and hundreds of kids who find joy, a skill, a positive way to express themselves and learn incredible life skills from a wonderful sport that focuses as much on how you show up as what you achieve.