Greetings folk join in the London Marathon fund-raising efforts
Running shoes are currently de rigueur for the near 50,000 entrants preparing for the London Marathon – and that number includes a fair few from the greeting card community.
Cardzone director James Taylor has taken inspiration from his famous musical namesake and is looking for a fabulous playlist for the big day on Sunday 21 April, to get him round the 26.2mile course in the capital.
“Completing a marathon is something I’ve always wanted to do,” James told PG Buzz after finishing his latest now traditional Saturday long run in wet, cold and blustery weather, “and I’m thrilled that my first will be in London which is acclaimed as being one of the most special!
“I’m preparing my marathon running playlist and would love each of you to leave a comment along with your donation – music which has special meaning to you that you’d recommend I include for the day.
“I love the idea of my sponsors building my playlist, that’ll be really cool. I’m a fan of pretty much all music so go wild! Please each limit to a maximum of two songs though as my target time is sub 3hrs 30 mins and I want to ensure I get chance to include all of the great suggestions.”
So far the list includes Bruce Springsteen’s Born To Run, Country Gold by Thomas Rhett, the Rocky theme tunes, Pink Floyd’s Run Like Hell, Late In The Evening from Paul Simon, The Communards’ Don’t Leave Me This Way, and the classic Keep On Running by the Spencer Davis Group.
James is hoping to raise £10,000 for the Shooting Stars Children’s Hospice which supports babies, children and young people with life-limiting conditions, and their families across Surrey and west London.
He can be sponsored here and he’s really hoping to beat his target time because then the Cardzone retail group, with Clintons and Paper Design Group, will collectively double all charity donations.
Shooting Stars is also the charity Mark Janson-Smith is supporting as the md of small retail chain Postmark undertakes his second London Marathon, having completed the 2022 event, and he’s already three quarters of the way to his £6,000 target..
“Knowing all the amazing work they do and the difference to people’s lives they are making, gets me out of the house for these cold morning runs,” Mark said.
“It’s been very different this time as training has been in the dark and cold compared to the warm last time. Knowing what’s ahead makes it that bit easier but I don’t think it ever gets physically easier, especially since I’m now older and the body has not forgiven me for doing it last time!
“But I’m 12 of 16 weeks down, the last of the long runs this weekend, which is a great feeling and I can’t wait for the big day. By then, the hard work is all done and you can just go out and enjoy your –very long! – victory lap!”
Mark has been able to double down on the running chat as Postmark buyer Shannon Fisher is joining him, hoping her first London Marathon will raise £2,000 for The Royal National Institute Of Blind People (RNIB) – and she’s over halfway there already on her fundraising page.
Shannon told PG Buzz: “I only started running again in lockdown. I’ve run a few half marathons but that’s as far as I have gone.
“All Mark and I talk about is running at the moment so it’s a little boring in the office for those who have to listen – what route? what shoes? How long a run is, etc.
“Mark keeps asking me to run as a greeting card – eye roll! I just need to get myself round the course!”
It will be Rachel Church’s second London Marathon and the Rachel Ellen Designs md has added thought creatively to come up with a second income stream to her fundraising for Save The Children through sponsors.
“I still hand paint all my work” said Rachel, “and, although we sell a few limited-edition prints, as I never sell original work I had the idea to create some new pieces that could be sold with all proceeds going to the charity, it’s nice to think those willing to contribute in this way will receive something unique in return.”
Having helped out Pancreatic Cancer UK in her first event in. 2022, this time round Rachel is going with charity partner Save The Children as the renowned children’s card, wrap and gift company is planning a collaboration later in the year.
She said: “It’s a natural fit for Rachel Ellen as everything the charity stands for and all the wonderful work they do to support, care for, encourage and promote education for children resonates with me, I’m delighted to raise much-needed funds for them.”
