ASTLE EMPLOYEE IS ON THE RUN FOR CANCER RESEARCH
News release
[12th April 2012]
A workshop controller from Astle BMW in Grimsby who was inspired to run a marathon after losing four members of his family and his dog to cancer has raised £1,700 for charity – and more money is on the way.
Craig Scott, 30, decided to take on the Virgin London Marathon challenge in aid of the Association for International Cancer Research (AICR) after losing three of his grandparents between 2007 and 2008 and his dog.
In a cruel twist, his aunt also died of the disease at the start of the year – months after he had signed up to the run.
Craig will tackle the 26 miles on 22nd April with fiancée Gemma Hayward, 25, an accountant, who has also had family members suffer with the devastating disease.
“I’m about ready for it now or as ready as I’ll ever be,” said Craig, who is from Bottesford, near Scunthorpe. “Everyone at work has been really supportive, always asking how I’ve been getting on and what kind of times I’ve been clocking.
“All my colleagues have given me personal sponsorship and I’ve got more to collect from family and friends.
“But what really struck me was that several people who had read my story in the local paper made the trip all the way over here to hand me a donation and tell me what a good thing it is I’m doing. I guess it just shows how many people can relate to what I’m doing and have been touched by cancer in their lives.”
Craig and Gemma started training in August last year. In the last few months, the couple have pushed their punishing training schedule up to an eight-mile run each Tuesday, followed by a half marathon on Thursday or Friday with an 18-mile run on Sunday mornings rounding off the week.
“We both have off days so it’s a benefit that we’ve got each other for encouragement when one of us starts to feel like it’s too much hard work,” Craig added.
“The time aspect for fitting in all the training has been quite a challenge; we’re not seeing much of our family and friends at all because when we’re not training, we’re shattered and taking a break at home. But it really is worth it to help raise money for such an important cause”
He says sponsorship backing from his employers as well as personal donations from colleagues means he’s well on the way to reaching his £2,500 target for AICR.
Managing Director of Astle BMW Mike Baldry said: “Craig has shown remarkable determination with his training, always coming into work with stories of another challenge he’s faced.
“We’re very proud of him, especially for demonstrating the ethics of our company – hard work, performance and excellence – to such a degree. He’ll be running with the full support of everyone at Astle BMW.”
Visit www.virginmoneygiving.com/craigandgemma to make a donation. Anyone wanting to find out more about BMWs on offer at Astle can visit www.astlebmw.co.uk or call 08444 702979.
Ends
Notes to Editors
- Astle BMW is part of The Crystal Motor Group which is the largest privately owned car dealer group in Lincolnshire and one of the leading suppliers of BMW, MINI, Nissan and Renault in the county. Visit www.crystalmotorgroup.com for more.
- The group comprises Crystal of Lincoln Nissan, Crystal of Grantham Nissan, Crystal of Boston Nissan, Astle BMW in Grimsby and Scunthorpe and Astle MINI in Grimsby.
- About Virgin London Marathon
The first London Marathon was held in March 1981, with 7,747 runners. A total of 6,255 of those finished the race. Visit www.virginlondonmarathon.com/ for more on the marathon.
Cerri Delaney
Shooting Star PR
01522 528540
cerri@shootingstar-pr.co.uk
www.shootingstar-pr.co.uk
t: @cerridelaney
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