Captain Tom inspires Sue’s Marathon effort
26 laps of garden is target
A STAFFORDSHIRE Moorlands fundraiser has been inspired by Captain Tom Moore as she aims to complete more than 70 laps of her garden to match the 26-mile course of the London Marathon.
The showpiece race in the nation’s capital was cancelled due to the coronavirus lockdown, but Sue Wardle, chairman of North Staffs NSPCC, has decided to complete the length of the course around her garden located in Consall.
The NSPCC has asked its supporters to try and organise an event to make up a small fraction of the million pounds plus that it will lose. The North Staffs area has lost on average £3,000 a month, as all planned events have had to be cancelled.
Sue said: “The London Marathon was cancelled this year, as we all know, due to the coronavirus lockdown.
“So I decided to attempt to walk/jog a ‘marathon’ around my garden in aid of the NSPCC particularly Childline. Not all at once, I assure you, but breaking it down into manageable chunks of two miles or so. My son Joe and Stan the dog are accompanying me. “Childline is receiving thousands of calls from vulnerable children and the work of the NSPCC continues wherever possible. It costs £30,000 a day to keep Childline afloat.
“We need to walk a prescribed route around the garden three times to achieve one mile. Our aim is to walk 26 miles. I am writing to all my friends and fellow NSPCC volunteers to see if they would like to sponsor me in my attempt to raise £2,000 by the end of May. I will also use my Facebook contacts to publicise it.
“I’m not expecting a Captain Tom type of response, but I must admit he is my inspiration.
“I have already raised
£1,000 towards my target, so I’m very grateful for that encouragement. I have presently completed 15 miles.”
If you feel you could make a donation by cheque, make it payable to NSPCC (Leek), and send it to:
NSPCC (Leek), Wildacres, Consall, Wetley Rocks, Staffs. ST9 0BE.
If you prefer to pay by internet banking, Sue has said that with the treasurer’s approval, she has cleared a bank account to allow it to be used for this reason only.
The bank details are as follows: sort code 09-01-28; account number 83406699 – reference your payment MARATHON and your surname.
For further information contact Sue on 01782 550258.