An Isle of Wight businessman has raised a marathon amount of money for the Wessex Cancer Trust.
Paul Thorley, who lives in Gurnard, has raised £5,000 by taking to the streets of the Capital to run this year’s London Marathon.
The marathon covers 26 miles starts at Blackheath and finishes in front of Buckingham Palace, with over 40,000 runners taking part in this
42nd London Marathon.
Paul - who runs Vehicle Consulting Solent with wife, Nancy - had planned to run in the 2021 marathon, but had to pull out due to contracting covid in the run-up to the event, making this year’s event even more important to both him and Wessex Cancer Trust.
Paul said:
“I’m simply overwhelmed at the generosity of so many people that have sponsored me to run the London Marathon.
"It was genuinely my pleasure and honour to run this for Wessex Cancer Trust, it was a lifetime ambition come true and the day itself was one of the single most memorable and positive experiences I’ve ever had.
"The messages of support from those who donated throughout the build-up and the day itself really helped me finish, almost like they were there with me on the day cheering me on. The people of London, the crowd, were electric, loud and simply amazing and made the day even more incredible. To be able to raise this amount of money for the charity is simply incredible.”
Training for the marathon, Paul started back in January with a ‘Couch to 5k’ and built up from there, increasing his training schedule up to 22 miles as the event drew near. Training that included a structured heart rate programme, which helps runners to perform within a safe heart rate for their
age.
This is not the first time Paul has raised money to support Wessex Cancer Trust. His past exploits include a skydive, creating ‘yummy boxes’ and hosting a black-tie dinner in Ventnor, using his talent as a private chef. Activities that added to the fundraising from the London Marathon and bring his fundraising total to almost £20,000.
Laura Haytack, Isle of Wight Fundraising Manager for Wessex Cancer Trust, said:
"We are incredibly appreciative of Paul's ongoing commitment to Wessex Cancer Trust. The £5,000 raised from Paul taking part in the 2022 London Marathon could pay for a typical course of counselling sessions for approximately 15 clients at the Centre. We understand that cancer can have long-lasting psychological repercussions, and we are here for our clients as long as they need us.
"Our support packages funded by Paul and others are tailored to each client, and we offer a range of services from counselling and complementary therapies, to peer support groups and online support."
Paul is already planning future events to raise even more for Wessex Cancer Trust including a casino night.
He added:
“Every pound raised really helps this charity and the people who rely on it. It’s easy to forget, but the people that are suffering with this horrific illness are also living with the same economic worries – probably worse, than all of us too. If you are ever considering running the London Marathon, do it and do it for charity.”
Man Arrested On Suspicion Of Rape Following Meeting With Underage Girl
Hovertravel Boss To Step Down After 15 Years At The Helm
Owners Of Seaside Town 'Eyesore' Fail To Carry Out Works Despite £8,000 Fine
Celebrating 35 Years Of Walk The Wight: Registration Opens For 2025
Emergency Services Called To Wightlink Ferry After 'Sudden Death' Of Man
New £6.7m Mental Health Facility To Open On Newport High Street
'Shocking, Misplaced And Reckless': Village Residents Hit Out At Housing Plan
Highest Number Of Police Officers For Hampshire And Isle Of Wight Constabulary In A Decade
Emergency Services Called To Newport Petrol Station After Car Crashes Into Kiosk
"There's Likely To Be In Excess Of 200 Redundancies": Island Trade Unionists On School Plans
High Sheriff Presents Inaugural Maritime Volunteers Award To Cowes RNLI Station
Education Cabinet Member Faces Renewed Round Of Questions From Concerned Residents
Man Jailed After burglaries Armed With Baseball Bat And Firearm
Retailers Say Hampshire & Isle Of Wight Constabulary Is Best At Responding To Retail Crime
Full Council Opposes School Closure Plans In Blow To Cabinet
Eight Electric Vehicle Charging Bays Could Be Installed In Isle Of Wight Town Centre
New Drop-In Sessions Announced For Isle Of Wight Dementia Strategy Review
Plans To Enhance Luxury Freshwater Seafront Hotel Approved
Thousands Of Pounds Of Investment Needed If Housing Development Goes
