Funeral Partners manager to raise money for MND Association
Simon Roberts has already raised hundreds of pounds for the cause, and said every donation would be greatly appreciated
Funeral Partners operations project manager, Simon Roberts, has secured a place in the Hamburg Marathon on 28 April to raise money for the Motor Neurone Disease Association.
Roberts has chosen the charity because his colleague and friend, Jerry Bentley, who is the diary manager for East London at Funeral Partners, is living with the incurable disease which affects the brain and spinal cord.
A keen runner, Roberts has previously completed the London Marathon nearly 20 years ago.
According to Roberts, he is looking forward to another marathon in Hamburg, which will be a 26-mile challenge.
Roberts said: “I didn’t think I’d be doing another marathon at my age, but as I’ve got into the training, I have enjoyed it. At this stage, I’m not striving for a time to impress anyone or anything like that, it’s just about the achievement of completing the distance.
“I chose the charity because I have known Jerry for a number of years – we used to work very closely together – and know they do great work for him, and people who are in similar positions. He’s someone I’ve known for 15 years or so and we’ve always got on brilliantly.”
He added: “If I end up with aching legs and some blisters, it’s still nothing compared to what Jerry and others like him are going through.”
The team at WH Putnam Funeral Directors also raised £6,500 for the North London branch of the MND Association last year, with a race night and sport-themed auction.
Roberts, who lives in Lowestoft, has already raised hundreds of pounds for the cause, and said every donation would be greatly appreciated.
Denise Davies, head of community fundraising at the MND Association, said: “Without our amazing supporters like Simon, the MND Association simply would not be able to provide the vital support services, raise awareness and campaign for service improvement and fund research to find a cure. Together we are making a real difference for people facing this devastating disease.”
“For example, with £1,000 we can pay for a detailed analysis of the DNA of someone with MND to help take us closer to finding a cure or pay for a text to speech device to give someone with MND the ability to continue to communicate with their loved ones. Such a special gift.”
