Jon Ryan, the director of communications for the British Horseracing Authority, is looking for backers for a personal challenge far 
greater even than the Grand National itself: he is to run in the Virgin London Marathon on April 25.
Ryan, a former Sports Editor at the Sunday Telegraph, is a loyal SJA member who served on the Association’s committee for several years and has also helped with the judging of past British Sports Journalism awards. Now old enough to claim a bus pass (and to know better), he will be running the London Marathon for a fourth time, and is seeking sponsors for his cause, the Spinal Injuries Association, as he tackles the 26 miles 385 yards from Blackheath to The Mall.
“As some of you may know, there is a racing team running the London Marathon in aid of the Spinal Injuries Association.
“In a gesture that could be seen as either stupid, brave, mad, heroic or daft, I have volunteered to be part of the team . My aim is to get round the 26 and a bit miles to help raise a suitably large sum for what is a tremendous cause.
“To those of you who have sponsored me in the past I apologise as I seem to recall saying it would never happen again… to the newcomers, rest assured, it will never happen again. You are all on my list because I know you are kind, generous people who might want to make my journey (notice I didn’t say ‘run’) worthwhile.”
Ryan’s team also includes Nick Watt, of the Racing Post, and Emma McCall, from Horse & Hound magazine, and the 25 runners’ collective target is £37,500, which can be assisted with the help of tax relief if you pledge your support through the http://www.justgiving.com/horseracingslondonmarathon2010 website.
Donating through justgiving.com is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with justgiving — they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate – more money is raised, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.
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