ALL 3,000 places in Warwick’s first half marathon have now been snapped up according to organisers, the British Heart Foundation.
Brother takes up last of half marathon places
And one man who’s delighted to have already secured his place is office supplies manager Jon Coleman, who is running not only to increase funds for vital research into heart disease but also for three other good causes.
Jon, aged 32, who lives in Chase Meadow, admits he mostly wants to support the voluntary work being done by his sister Melissa at a children’s home in South Africa.
But he’s also keen to offer any potential sponsors for his efforts on March 17, a choice.
Jon said; “That’s why I’m not only asking for sponsorship in aid of Melissa’s work in Cape Town but also her plan to take part in the 10,000 mile ‘Go Help’ rally to Mongolia in July - and the Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance Service.”
It was just three months ago that Jon’s 27-year-old “kid sister” passed a significant stage in her accountancy exams and learned about the inspiring work being done at the Baphumelele Children’s Home which started after a primary school teacher rescued youngsters she saw searching for food on a rubbish dump.
Jon said: “The home has been operating for about ten years now and workers have gone on to develop a bakery, a vegetable-growing project and a sewing shop. Melissa is trying to use her accountancy skills to make the whole enterprise more self-sufficient.
“Personally, I can’t leave the family business so I’m trying to do my bit by going out training several times a week to get fit enough to compete in the half-marathon.”
From Africa, Melissa says: “I’m delighted with Jon’s support and hope to tell as many people as possible about the wonderful work being done in this orphanage and education centre which has become a place of safety for abandoned, abused, neglected or orphaned children, most of whom are either infected with or affected by HIV/Aids.”
In May Melissa plans to fly back to Britain and her home in Ettington so that she can prepare for the next part of her “year out” from accountancy. This involves teaming up with Tim Roberts, who runs the Bluebird Cafe in Warwick.
She writes: “We’ve formed a team called The Eventualists and are going to do the 10,000 mile ‘Go Help’ rally in July which involves us buying a 4x4 roadworthy vehicle which we’ll co-drive out to Mongolia. The idea is that, eventually, all the vehicles driven out there will be left there for conversion into ambulances.”
Of his slightly less adventurous fundraising efforts Jon said: “Because we’re asking for support for two overseas charities I thought I’d also offer my sponsors the choice of contributing towards the air ambulance in the UK.”
Anyone wanting to view the websites of the various good causes can email Melissa on m_coleman16@hotmail.com or visit uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/the eventualists or call Jon on 07855 508032.
At the British Heart Foundation organiser Hannah Carling said: “Although all our running places have gone if anyone would like to volunteer their time to help on the day they can contact me directly on: 07850 016 858.”
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Warwick
Tuesday 21 May 2013
Today
Light rain
Temperature: 7 C to 15 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: North
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 5 C to 14 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: North west
