Runner enters London Marathon to raise money for the Samaritans

Gillian Savage of Reepham will be running this year’s London Marathon to raise money for the Samaritans.
 

Gillian Savage of Reepham will be running this year’s London Marathon to raise money for the Samaritans. Photo: John Tym www.tympix.com

 
The 21-year-old, who works at the Norwich office of real estate services firm Jones Lang LaSalle, is one of five people (and the only woman) from the company who won a ballot to take part in the gruelling race comprising 26 miles 385 yards on 13 April.
 
As a former runner who excelled at national junior level, Gillian recently started a running club where she works, and has now pledged to raise £2,500 for the charity, which exists to provide confidential emotional support to anyone who has nowhere else to turn.
 
“The Samaritans are run by volunteers and receive almost no government funding,” she says. “What is fantastic about the charity is that it supports anyone in need, no matter how big or small the problem may be.
 
“I have never run a marathon before so this is one hell of a challenge. Please give as little or as much as you can afford to make each one of those miles a little less painful.”
 
Gillian ran a half marathon in a time of 1 hour 50 minutes a few years ago and has set herself the challenge of running the London Marathon in 4 hours 30 minutes. (The women’s course record for the London Marathon is 2:15:25 set by Paula Radcliffe in 2003.)
 
To help raise money, Gillian is hoping to organise a charity event in Reepham over the next few weeks.
 
You can donate directly at: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/GillianSavage or sponsor her at V’s Café, Townsend Corner, Reepham.
 

Related stories: