26 April 2006
3hrs 47MINS WITH A SOMBRERO ON HIS HEAD!
Ben Southall, dedicated supporter and former employee of The Royal Star & Garter Home, took on an astounding ‘Triple Challenge’ to raise money for the Home. Ben successfully completed three exhausting events in one month: the National Swimathon from 5th March, the Reading Half Marathon on 9th April and finally the Flora London Marathon last Sunday 23rd April where he ran the entire 26.2 miles across London for his finale. Ben carried a sombrero throughout the duration of the race and comments, “By the end of the race it was more like wearing a skull cap made of reed than a sombrero! I’m thrilled with my time as I had hoped to complete it in 4hrs. 3hrs 47mins is even better!” said Ben. So far Ben has raised in the region of £700 and will be donating half the proceeds to The Royal Star & Garter Charity and half to Char’s Fund in memory of his friend Charlotte Jones who was sadly lost in the South East Asia Tsunami. This is fund will help go towards scholarships for girls in Thailand to help put them through school.
Since the London Marathon’s inauguration in 1981 when around 7,000 people competed, the race has been growing steadily. On Sunday approximately 32,000 runners participated including Ben who was delighted to be running the distance for the first time. Once a member of the Events team for the Home, Ben has remained a good friend to residents and continues to support the Home’s activities.
If you would like to support Ben Southall in his tremendous fundraising efforts please call 020 8439 8167 or send donations to ‘The Royal Star & Garter Home’, Richmond Hill, Richmond, Surrey TW10 6RR. Thank you for your support.
About the Royal Star & Garter Charity
The Royal Star & Garter Home, an independent registered charity based in Richmond, has been caring for disabled ex-Service personnel since 1916. The Charity offers the best in nursing and residential care plus a range of therapies. There are also a wide variety of leisure activities available for our residents to enjoy, both inside and outside the Home. In future years, The Royal Star & Garter Charity intends to build new homes, in the Richmond area and elsewhere, in which to provide specialist care for the elderly disabled, and for those with dementia for whom there is very little provision at present.
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FURTHER INFO: Rebecca Spencer, Marketing & Communications Co-ordinator TEL: 020 8439 8118 or EMAIL: rebecca.spencer@starandgarter.org