Gold Geese Marathon

A PERSONAL trainer from Leigh ran the original 26-mile challenge in aid of local children’s charity Gold Geese.

Dominic Foster, 29, joined 16,000 people taking part in the ‘Marathon to Athens’ race in Greece, to raise vital funds for the charity which supports children and young people fighting cancer in the Southend and Basildon areas.

Mr Foster completed the gruelling course in just four hours three minutes and was joined by his friend Ryan.

Thanks to support from local businesses and the community he smashed his £1000 fundraising target, with the total currently at £3600.

Mr Foster, co-owner of Athletica Fitness and Strength personal training studio in Leigh, explained why he took on the challenge: “I was looking to do a marathon in a different country as a new experience, and after hearing about the amazing support Gold Geese gave my partner’s colleague, I decided to fundraise for them at the same time.

“It was a really tough course and a hot day, and from 10km to 30km it’s pretty much all up-hill into Athens so it was a slog.

“Several local businesses had sponsored me and had their logos on my running vest, so I kept glancing down at my vest and thinking I can’t let these people down. That kept me going.

“Thank you so much to everyone who sponsored me, you’re all legends.”

Katie Southgate, founder of Gold Geese, said: “We’re hugely grateful Dominic chose to support Gold Geese and we’re in awe of him not only for completing that tough course but smashing his fundraising target.

“We rely on community donations to fund our vital work, so superstars like Dominic mean we can be there for every local family affected by childhood cancer.

“Childhood cancer causes a huge upheaval for everyone in the family – emotionally, physically and often financially.

“Our support is tailored to each family’s needs and ranges from funding for mental health therapy and food shop vouchers to toys, weekend trips away and practical help with travel to and from hospital.”

If you would like to donate to Mr Foster’s JustGiving page visit: bit.ly/DominicGoldGeese.

For more information about the charity or to learn the signs and symptoms of childhood cancer visit: goldgeese.org.

Picture: Mr Foster at the event in Athens.

Read more.

Visit: https://leigh-on-sea.news

Contact us. Email: [email protected]

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leighonsea.news

Twitter: @leighonsea_news

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leighonsea.news