30 October 2009

Industry runners set for New York marathon

Chris Roche, Travel Republic, and Gary Verity, chief executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, are to raise money for charity by running in the New York marathon on Sunday.

Roche is to raise money for Children with Leukaemia and can be sponsored via www.bmycharity.com/chrisrunsnewyork

For every £5 donated there will be a ticket for a raffle with prizes including:

£50 M&S vouchers.
A Simpson's Monopoly Set.
An 'Un-welcome' door mat.
A signed photo of 'Dick & Dom' (from the BAFTA winning children's TV show '
Dick & Dom in da Bungalow').
One week’s holiday in Tenerife for 2 (flights, hotel, transfer included).

Verity has drawn inspiration from his wife’s battle with cancer to lead a team of friends and colleagues to run the marathon.

The "Running for Helen" team has set itself the ambitious fundraising target of £500,000, which will pay for 25,000 hours of nursing in Yorkshire by Marie Curie Cancer Care, its nominated charity.

Helen was diagnosed with Myeloma, a rare cancer, shortly after the birth of daughter Lily in 2004 and it is her courage that is driving Gary and the team towards their goal.

Gary is delighted with the support from family, friends and influential business leaders and he's confident they will reach their target.

He said: "I am overwhelmed that my friends and business colleagues have agreed to undertake this challenge in celebration of my wonderful wife.

"To dedicate the time and effort to complete the New York Marathon is an enormous tribute to each and every one of them as well as to Helen. I can never thank them enough.

"Of course, the main reason for undertaking the event is to raise funds for Marie Curie Cancer Care. The dedication and skill of Marie Curie Nurses is truly inspiring and will be a huge motivation to the whole team.

"With the support of our friends, colleagues and our supporters throughout the country, I'm sure we will reach our target."

For more information on Marie Curie Cancer Care go to: www.mariecurie.org.uk