The University of Worcester’s fundraising drive has surged beyond the £80,000 mark, as two colleagues enter the final stages of training for next month’s London Marathon in support of students facing financial hardship.
Chris Garratt, Deputy Chief Information Officer at the University will attempt to break the world record for the fastest marathon run in full graduation regalia.
He will be joined on the start line by Media Relations Manager, Justyn Surrall, with both runners raising funds for the University’s Student Scholarship and Hardship Fund.
Their efforts follow a year of community-led fundraising across the University, which has seen staff and students organise bake sales, car washes, plant sales, and support the Vice Chancellor’s remarkable 280km walk along the coastal path between Porto in Portugal and Santiago de Compostela in Spain.
Chris Garratt said: “I’m looking forward to the race, but I’ve never run such a long distance in this outfit before!”
Chris has run long distances before and currently holds the Guinness World Record for running a half marathon dressed as a lumberjack.
“As we get closer to the date, I’m feeling very motivated because I’m raising money for such an incredibly vital cause,” he said. “We’ve got a lot of health-based courses here at the University, and because they’re on placement so often, they don’t always have the same opportunities to do paid work as others, so having this fund is so vital to help them complete their studies.”
Justyn Surrall, who is preparing for his first marathon, said: “Training has been tough, but seeing some of the messages coming in from colleagues and speaking to students who’ve used the University’s Hardship fund has given me the boost in morale I needed; especially during those freezing cold winter training runs.”
“Passing the finish line will be an incredible personal milestone,” he added. “But what’s really keeping me going is knowing the difference this fund makes for students who are struggling. If achy legs and early starts can help even one person stay on their course, it’s worth every step.”
To donate to Chris’ fundraising page, follow this link.
To donate to Justyn’s fundraising page, follow this link
For information on courses at University of Worcester visit www.worcester.ac.uk or for application enquiries telephone 01905 855111 or email admissions@worc.ac.uk