Some of the runners joining the race to £20 million
Early this year, we announced that the Wizz Air Cardiff Half Marathon was on track to generate its 20 millionth pound in fundraising at the 2022 event, as we urged runners to get behind the ‘race to £20 million’ to help us achieve this incredible milestone.
A wide range of causes will be represented at the event, from well-known national charities through to local good causes, including large teams of fundraisers from the NSPCC, Alzheimer’s Society, British Heart Foundation, Mind, Prostate Cancer UK and Shelter Cymru.
Meet some of the runners who have joined the race to £20 million:
Dan Lewis
Dan Lewis who is raising money for Latch, the Welsh children’s cancer charity, after his nephew James, aged three, was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma in July.
The rare cancer affects around 100 children a year in the UK. Now, Dan is embarking on a gargantuan challenge which will see him climb Wales’ three peaks before completing the Wizz Air Cardiff Half Marathon – and all in 24 hours:
“We start climbing Snowdon at 1pm on the Saturday, then we do Cadair Idris and we expect to arrive at Penyfan by 10:30pm. We then cycle to Cardiff in time to take part in the Cardiff Half.
“I’m raising money for Latch as they’ve been really supportive of James; parents Ashley and Louise since they got the diagnosis.”
Donate to Dan’s JustGiving page: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/team-jamesghostbuster
Victoria and Dale Collins
Victoria and Dale Collins will be pounding the streets to raise money for the Tuberous Sclerosis Association. Their daughter, Jessica, was diagnosed with the condition before her first birthday. It is a rare condition that causes non-cancerous tumours to develop in different parts of the body.
Now nine, Jessica has tumours on her heart, hey kidney, her brain and behind her eye:
“It’s so important that charities like Tuberous Sclerosis Association get funding so that research can be carried out. But she’s doing really well and surprises us every day. She attends mainstream school and is keeping up with her peers and we are so very proud of her,” says Victoria.
Lee Prescott
Lee Prescott – a firefighter from Cardiff – is set to run the route in 45 lbs of full fire kit and breathing apparatus. He is raising money for the Motor Neurone Disease Association after close family friend, Patrick Wharton from Bristol, was diagnosed with the condition before his 40th birthday.
The 48-year-old said:
“It’s obviously an insulated suit so it does get quite hot. Once the breathing apparatus is on the back, it weighs about 40 or 50 lbs.
“But it’s very important to me that I run for this cause. Patrick can no longer talk and is having a really tough time. It’s a horrible disease. I’ve raised about £1300 so far for the Motor Neurone Disease Association which provides support and they also fund research as there is currently no cure.”
Lee’s JustGiving page – https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Lee-Prescott3
Linda Hassell
Linda signed up for the Cardiff Half after granddaughter, Aria, underwent a nine-hour operation on her heart last June when she was just six days old. She is raising money for the British Heart Foundation.
Doctors discovered Aria had Truncus Arteriosus during pregnancy. It is a birth defect of the heart which occurs when the blood vessel coming out of the heart fails to separate completely during development. She also had a hole in the heart:
Now, little Aria is three months old and thriving. Linda says:
“I might end up crawling the Cardiff Half Marathon but I’ll do it. So many children are born with heart problems so the British Heart Foundation is such a good cause. She has quite a bit scar on her chest but we call it her warrior scar. We call her “our little warrior. She’s such a strong little cookie and has a lovely little giggle.”
Linda’s JustGiving Page https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Linda-Hassell
James Linney
Another runner to look out for on the day is Penarth Dad James Linney who will be attempting a Guinness World Record. The 40-year-old will be running while controlling a tennis ball on a tennis racket to raise money for Velindre.
He says:
“People have done it before but never over a half marathon distance. Because it’s the first time it’s been attempted, Guinness World Record has said I need to beat a nominal time of 2.5 hours. But I’d like to do it in under 1:50.”
James’ JustGiving page: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/James-Linney1
Pob lwc to everyone running this weekend, whatever their cause!
