A Harrogate tax advisor has raised £2,500 for a national children’s charity by taking part in – and completing – this year’s London Marathon.
Steve Outhwaite, of Victoria Avenue based Outhwaite Associates – who was running the 26-mile race for Caudwell Children – completed the course in a time of 7hrs and 3mins.
Mr Outhwaite, 52, said:
This was one of the toughest challenges I have ever undertaken, but it was worth every painful step to raise this money for this wonderful charity.
This is the first time I’ve competed in the London Marathon and the atmosphere was absolutely fantastic. The crowd carried me along and gave me the strength to continue, particularly when I got cramp in my calf muscle at 18 miles.
I would like to say a big thank you to everyone who sponsored me, and whilst I am the first to admit it wasn’t a particularly fast time, I now have a target to beat if I ever do it again – and I hope I will next year!
Kirsten Greaves, the Challenge Coordinator at Caudwell Children, said:
We are incredibly grateful to Steve for raising this superb sum for us.
It was both a marathon and Herculean effort on his behalf and very much appreciated by everyone here.
Caudwell Children provide family support services, equipment, treatment and therapies for disabled children and their families across the UK.
It also runs an Enable Sport programme for talented disabled athletes and its Destination Dreams holiday for children fighting life threatening conditions.