Running and raising money is the new rock and roll!
Roger completed the Rock ‘n’ Roll Liverpool Marathon for BLF this year, here he tells us his connection to Asthma UK and The British Lung Foundation, and why he decided to fundraise for BLF at this heavy metal run!
I’m 60 years old and have run about 100 marathons, many long-distance endurance events all over the world. I’ve done 7 marathons on 7 continents in 7 days, 130 miles non-stop from Liverpool to Leeds along the canal. Not to forget the Comrades 56-mile marathon in South Africa. I’m a marathon veteran to say the least!
Before I ran the Rock ‘n’ Roll Liverpool marathon for the British Lung Foundation I already had a connection to the Asthma UK and The British Lung Foundation Partnership, as I ran the London marathon for Asthma UK a few years ago. I was very asthmatic as a child and through my teens, as was my daughter. I know what it feels like to be impacted by a lung condition. It’s very scary, and I wanted to help out.
For the Rock ‘n’ Roll marathon, I wanted to fundraise for The British Lung Foundation because of the vital work that they’re doing for people with Long Covid. My friend's son is living with Long Covid, which is thankfully improving. Another athlete I know is having major problems getting back to full fitness. Research is needed to bring everyone back to full health and give them care, something the BLF is striving to change and I’m in full support of this.
I think it’s really important to help the BLF and their work on this
I absolutely loved taking part in the Rock ‘n’ Roll Liverpool Marathon. Putting the costume together and all the amazing reactions that I got were amazing. It was very striking, my best effort yet! At times, I had strings of cars honking their appreciation at me as I waved and ran past. I definitely noticed onlookers having to look twice before they gave me an applause. It was an amazing event.
If I could give anyone some advice who wants to do a challenge to fundraise for Asthma UK and The British Lung Foundation, I’d tell them to believe in yourself and don’t be self-conscious about asking for donations. Every time I run for a charity; my family and friends are always so supportive. You don’t need to be an amazing athlete completing a fast time. Putting yourself forward and committing to the distance is what will engage people!
I love running, and I love coming up with new costumes. Running a marathon definitely does hurt, but I am addicted. I will continue to run for charity, for as long as I can stand up and move. The experience is always amazing, especially if I am in costume.
Feeling inspired? Want to fundraise for BLF like Roger? Find out more about how you can take part in a charity challenge today!
Find out more about Long Covid and our work here.
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Earlier this year. Grace , who is part of our Research + Innovation team, challenged herself to walk 100 miles in March to raise money for Asthma + Lung UK. After signing up, she had the surprising realisation that she was one of the one in five people in the UK who will be diagnosed with a lung condition in their lifetime. Here she tells us about her staggering diagnosis of tuberculosis and her fundraising journey.