Leading West Midlands charity Beacon is searching for an inspirational fundraiser to act as its representative in next year’s Virgin Money London Marathon.
Beacon, a charity based in Sedgley in Wolverhampton, which supports visually impaired people across the region, has received a ballot place in the 2015 London Marathon – now the hunt is on for an ambitious runner to take on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
The ideal candidate will be fit and healthy, and will have plenty of fundraising ideas to help raise as much money as possible for Beacon.
The 35th London Marathon will take place on 26 April 2015, when around 36,000 runners will take to the streets of London and run 26.2 miles in front of approximately 750,000 thousand spectators.
“We’re delighted that we’ve been successful from thousands of charities in gaining a place via the London Marathon charity ballot,” said Lucy Barton, from Beacon.
“The marathon is an extremely competitive race and is always oversubscribed every year, so we want to make sure we find the perfect candidate who will use their ballot place to raise funds to help us support local people with sight loss live fuller and more independent lives.
“We’re looking for someone whose life ambition is to run the London Marathon, someone who can represent Beacon, and perhaps have an affiliation with the charity, or know someone who has benefited from our services.
People can apply for the ballot place by contacting Beacons’ fundraising team on 01902 880 111 or emailing fundraising@beacon4blind.co.uk and have until Thursday 31 August 2014 to register their interest. The final candidate will be selected by a panel at Beacon.
More than 3,000 people in the community receive support from Beacon through a team of dedicated outreach workers, and social groups can meet at the Sedgley centre to participate in arts and crafts, music, fitness and IT sessions.
The charity also operates seven shops across the West Midlands, which deliver much-needed funds through sales of quality donated items and a selection of new goods.Money raised from the shops – in Wolverhampton, Bilston, Bloxwich, Wednesbury, Cannock, Halesowen and the centre in Sedgley – supports a range of services for people of all ages living with a visual impairment.
To find out more visit www.beacon4blind.co.uk