Each year, the London Marathon raises millions of pounds for charities, projects and communities around the world.
In fact, the 2017 marathon still holds the world record for the most money ever raised by a single day event with a whopping £61.5m donated to various causes.
This time, Dan and Ian from Gorilla Accounting will be taking on the gruelling 26.2 mile challenge with the aim of raising £5,000 for The Footprints Foundation.
The Seneca Group has been heavily involved with the Foundation over a number of years, supporting vulnerable people of all ages across a huge spectrum of community projects. Having seen the impact that the Foundation has on these projects, it made perfect sense to choose it as their marathon motivation!
After watching thousands cross the finish line of the 2018 London Marathon, like many of us, Dan felt inspired to do the same. Unlike many of us, he’s actually following through with it but still needed a partner for the arduous journey ahead.
Fortunately, Ian was only down the corridor and rumour had it that he dabbled with a bit of running himself. In fact, over the last few years, he has developed a genuine love for the stuff, tackling endurance mud challenges and regular runs to keep fit.
Dan’s fitness regime considers the more traditional, but no less punishing, the sport of boxing. After training with the Manchester United youth team as a youngster, he made the seamless transition into the squared circle and credits it with his current fitness levels.
What Is The Footprints Foundation?
The Footprints Foundation was set up to help disadvantaged people to enjoy a fulfilling life. They are helped each year by volunteers who have supported projects in India, Sri Lanka, Ecuador and Bulgaria before beginning their current focus on South Africa in 2007.
Although volunteers are of course an essential part of The Footprints Foundation, they cannot support local communities without financial support which is why Dan and Ian hope to get plenty of support in meeting their £5,000 target.
Some of the projects that will benefit include:
Sithabile Youth & Child Centre | An orphanage based in Beroni, Sithabile Youth and Child Centre provides a number of initiatives to improve the lives of young people in their community.
Zenzeleni Village Centre | A community-based orphanage which sleeps up to 40 children and feeds up to 400 children from the surrounding areas on a daily basis.
Little Angel’s Children’s Home | Run by a 27-year-old woman since the death of her mother in 2006, Little Angel’s Children’s Home specifically looks after children with HIV/AIDS or those who have been abandoned by their parents.
Masibambane Community Centre | This community centre was created in 2000 by local people who had lost friends and family in the poverty-stricken ghettos of Lawley.
How can I support the fundraising?
Whilst we’ll be doing plenty of fundraising ourselves between now and the London Marathon 2019, you can help to support the very worthy cause of The Footprints Foundation by visiting Dan & Ian’s JustGiving page.
Every single penny raised from their efforts will help to make a huge difference to vulnerable people, young and old, around the world.
