Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
London calling for
Among the 50,000 runners taking part in the London Marathon on Sunday will be an 82-year-old veteran and a rhino keeper. They, and other local competitors, tell us what motivates them to take on the challenge
Alan Dudney is running in his sixth and final London Marathon
The great-grandfather
Sprightly Alan Dudney will run his ninth and last London Marathon this week, at the age of 82.
The great-grandfather from Herne has previously vowed to put away his running shoes but was coaxed back into training by the desire to again raise more money for charity.
Over the years he has raised thousands of pounds for good causes like Macmillan Cancer Support and the Stroke Association.
This time he is supporting Christian Aid and has set himself a target of £2,000.
A keen all-round sportsman in his younger days, Alan first took on the London Marathon in 2000 after he was bet £50 he would not do it.
He crossed the line in a respectable four hours 25 minutes but this time he says he will just be happy to finish.
“You have to listen to your body and it’s not getting any easier,” he said.
“I have been training since November and doing up to 15 miles but have to pause more often.
“The atmosphere from the crowd is addictive and really carries you along when the going gets tough.
“I’m just hoping for a nice cool day which will make it easier.
“I know I’ve said it before but this really is the last one.”
To support Alan visit www. justgiving.com/alan-dudney4.
The zoo keeper
Rhino keeper Helen Rhodes is running for a cause very close to her heart, a charity protecting the threatened species in the wild.
The 35-year-old cares for four rhinos at Howletts but admits her effort to cover the 26 miles on Sunday will be no charge around the course.
“I’m not a natural runner so it does not come easy to me,” said Helen, who lives near the animal park in Bekesbourne.
“But a friend persuaded me to do a half marathon with her last year and I have got up to 19 miles in training.”
Helen has looked after the rhinos, which now include two youngsters, at the zoo for 11 years and is passionate about their welfare in the wild.
She is raising money for Save the Rhino International and has so far received donations totalling £2,800.
She said: “Rhinos have been on this planet for more than 40 million years and there are only five species left. These animals need our help or our grandchildren will never get to see them.”
Howletts has stepped up its security at the park after poachers targeted a French zoo, slaughtering a rhino so they could chop off its horn.
Helen said: “The London Marathon will be the hardest thing I have ever done and I expect a real slog to the finishing line but the pain will be worth it because the money I raise will go towards protecting rhinos in the wild.”
To sponsor Helen go to www. justgiving/helen-rhodes9.
The friend indeed
A father-of-two is raising cash for Children with Cancer UK after his friend’s daughter was diagnosed with leukaemia.
Keith Bourton will be running through the capital for the third time and has already collected more than £1,000.
The 52-year-old, who lives in Tankerton with his wife Gabbie and his two children Hattie, 18, and Sam, 16, says he hopes to push that total much higher.
“Very good friends of mine raise lots of money for the charity and they asked me to help raise their total this year by doing the London Marathon,” he said.
“It is a charity we have always supported because it does such wonderful things for children with this disease.
“Our friend’s daughter had childhood leukaemia so any opportunity to help I am always willing to join in.”
About 4,000 children and young people are diagnosed with cancer every year across the country and Children with Cancer supports patients and their families and researches causes and cures.
To donate to Keith’s fund, visit www.justgiving.com/ fundraising/keith-bourton.
The dedicated runner
A seasoned marathon runner who carried the Olympic Torch will go like the wind in the name of a dying mum-of-four and a disabled youngster.
Natalie King, 44, who lives in Harrison Terrace in Oare, just outside of Faversham, has just completed the Brighton Marathon but will be back in her running shoes this weekend.
The manager at Thomas Cook travel agents has already raised