Marathon effort aims to raise cash and awareness
THE big event will not take place this year but Mencap, the London Marathon’s charity of the year, hopes the virtual race will still raise awareness of what people with a learning disability can achieve.
Ten runners with a learning disability are among 312 people supporting the charity by completing 26.2 miles on October 4.
Among them is Michael Beynon, 24, from the Amman Valley. He has Down’s syndrome and a learning disability.
When he was young his family were warned that Mr Beynon was likely to need a wheelchair for the rest of his life but, knowing about the therapeutic benefits of physical activity, his mother Erika enrolled him in an athletics club aged four.
Mr Beynon has represented Wales and Great Britain in the Special Olympics and has won more than 60 medals
across a range of events, including shotput, boccia, long jump and track events such as 100m and 200m.
He will take on his first ever marathon, finishing at Mynydd Mawr Park in Tumble, with his mother as support runner.
He said: “I’m looking forward to marathon day and have been doing lots of virtual challenges during lockdown to stay fit and motivated.”
Last year Dementia Revolution, a year-long campaign formed by charities Alzheimer’s Society and Alzheimer’s Research UK, set a new record for the highest amount raised by the London Marathon charity of the year with £4 million.
The coronavirus pandemic has hit charity fundraising hard but Edel Harris, Mencap’s chief executive, said that this partnership was “always more than just an amazing fundraising opportunity”.
“Our runners will be showing the world what people with a learning disability can achieve with the right support,” she said.
“Together, we’re raising awareness about learning disability to challenge stigma and drive positive change.”
“It is important to remember that this has been an incredibly difficult time for many and the 1.5 million people with a learning disability in the UK are one group who have been hit hardest.
“Our life-changing programmes will be needed now more than ever.”
Other Mencap runners include Llinos GilmoreJones, 36, from Llanelli.
The charity hopes to raise £1.5 million to fund All Move, an inclusive sports programme for children aged 11-16 in schools in England and Wales. It aims to change attitudes towards disability through direct contact between children of different abilities.
To support the Mencap running squad, donate at uk.virginmoneygiving.com /Mencaprunningsquad