The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Heroic officer and Grenfell fire crew tackle marathon
More than 40,000 runners took part in the London Marathon yesterday, amid temperatures of 24.1C.
A police officer knifed by the London Bridge attackers after tackling them with his bare hands was among those taking part in the race.
Charlie Guenigault, 26, ran to raise money for King’s College Hospital where he had three hours of emergency surgery after being stabbed five times by jihadists on June 3 last year.
“They’re the ones who basically saved my life . . . it was touch and go for a moment,” he said.
“I remember being awake in hospital and hearing what they were trying to do . . . waking up three-four days later from a coma and thinking that you’re still alive, despite how drugged-up you are, is quite a nice feeling.”
Mr Guenigault revealed he was “very much looking forward to being back” at work in the next few weeks. The off-duty Metropolitan Police constable had been enjoying a summer’s night after-work drink when the attackers began their rampage on the bridge and Borough Market, killing eight and wounding almost 50 people.
Mr Guenigault spent three months in hospital
“I don’t think I’m fully recovered, I’m still feeling slight inside pains”
recovering and was last year awarded a Pride of Britain Outstanding Bravery Award.
He went on: “When I came out of hospital doctors said to do as much exercise as you can so with that in mind I decided to do a marathon.
“I don’t think I’m fully recovered, I’m still feeling slight inside pains. As much as how difficult the race was, at the end of the day I’m just glad to say I can do it.”
The first fire crew to arrive at the Grenfell Tower inferno also completed the marathon, raising more than £41,000 for children affected by the disaster.
Nine firefighters from red watch at North Kensington ran, with David Badillo saying it was “very emotional” for them.
“It was a really positive thing to do after all that we’ve been through together”, he said.
The cash will go to Kids On The Green, a volunteer group set up in the aftermath of the blaze to support traumatised children.
It offers free counselling to survivors and witnesses, as well as activities such as art therapy and entertainment, including discos.
Mr Badillo, 44, said: “My boxing club was at the bottom of the tower and I also knew some people in the tower so it was very personal.”