Team Matalan join Flora London Marathon for NSPCC (From Preston and Leyland Citizen)

Team Matalan join Flora London Marathon for NSPCC

7:46am Friday 11th April 2008 in News By Citizen reporter

A Leyland woman has donned her trainers to raise funds for the NSPCC by taking part in the Flora London Marathon 2008 on Sunday.

Katherine Farnworth will be running the marathon as part of Team Matalan along with four fellow colleagues from Matalan, the UK's family retailer.

The team have given themselves a target of raising £250,000 for the NSPCC's Safe Place Appeal in Liverpool.

Katherine completed the Great North run in September 2007 and has recently completed the Great North West Half Marathon in Blackpool where she achieved her personal best time.

With just a couple of days to go until the gruelling 26-mile London Marathon, Katherine is currently training regularly and has run up to 40 miles in one week in a bid to build up her fitness for the challenge.

Katherine, who is a training manager at Matalan, Bamber Bridge, said: "I am really excited about this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and feel privileged to be able to take part in the London Marathon.

"It is a tough challenge. But it is particularly rewarding to know that by taking part we are helping to raise vital funds for the NSPCC."

Katherine added: "The sponsorship would not be possible without the support of colleagues, close family and friends, not just giving encouragement, but understanding the time and effort we have to put in to prepare."

NSPCC corporate fundraising manager, Lizzie Pickup, said: "We are extremely grateful to Team Matalan for their efforts to raise much needed funds that will make a real difference to the lives of local children.

"Matalan has long supported the children's charity with its vital work and has been instrumental in helping fund The Hargreaves Centre, a new state-of-the-art children's centre in Liverpool.

"All the money raised by the team will make a huge difference to the lives of abused and vulnerable children.

"It will help support the NSPCC's 180 vital services for children and young people.

"Without the generosity of companies like Matalan and the support of the public our work to bring an end to child cruelty would simply not be possible."

To sponsor the efforts of Katherine and Team Matalan go in-store or click the link below.