150th marathon bid will be home grown

Fundraising councillor training for milestone

A HILLINGDON councillor who has run marathons across the globe has just eight left until he completes his 150th for a charity back home.

Jagjit Singh, pictured right, who represents the Yeading ward, hopes to raise £2,000 for Age UK Hillingdon when he takes part in the London Marathon on April 26.

As a “warm up”, he will also run the Hillingdon Half Marathon on April 12.

Mr Singh, 55, of Minterne Avenue, Hayes, said: “Up to now I’ve done 142 marathons, so eight left. So hopefully, fingers crossed, I can do it. If no injury comes then it will be fine.”

Father-of-two Mr Singh has completed marathons on every continent – his best time in the London Marathon being four hours, six minutes.

He had been about to complete his 100th marathon, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, when he approached the Hillingdon charity, which supports older people in the borough.

He said: “I picked this charity because I thought, it’s the 150th marathon and I’m a local resident here, so I have to do something for a local charity.”

Labour councillor Mr Singh is being supported by a team of teenage Volunteer Police Cadets, who will be organising fundraisers.

On Sunday, the group of eight South Hillingdon Volunteer Metropolitan Police Cadets joined Councillor Singh at Sainsbury’s at Lombardy Retail Park, in Hayes.

They raised £263.54 for Age UK Hillingdon.

Lesley McGinty, the charity’s marketing and income generation team leader, said: “The cadets did a fantastic job selling trolley coins and packing bags for shoppers, as well as the traditional bucket collection.”

She added: “We were thrilled Jagjit came back to support us again and we’re staggered he has completed so many more marathons and is now on his 150th.

“When the Volunteer Police Cadets approached us about getting involved, we knew just what they could do to help us.

“It is fantastic to see youngsters working to raise money to help older people in their area and we’re confident that their enthusiasm, combined with Jagjit’s determination, will raise a lot of money to help us with our work.”

To donate, visit www. justgiving.com/ j ag j i t s 1 5 0 t h Ma r at h o n . Alternatively, send donations to Lesley McGinty at Age UK Hillingdon, 2 Chapel Court, 126 Church Road, Hayes, UB3 2LW.