ROYAL SUPPORT FOR MR AINSWORTH’S FUNDRAISING LONDON MARATHON RUN

Junior School teacher Mr Roland Ainsworth had Royal supporters when he signed up to run the London Marathon in aid of the charity Sentebale which transforms the lives of Lesotho’s orphaned and vulnerable children.

The charity was set up by Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso of Lesotho and they held a get together a month before the event for the 16 competitors taking part in the race in aid of their cause.

Prince Harry told them: ‘Running the London Marathon is a truly awesome undertaking. That you are doing it for Sentebale makes me feel very humble and incredibly grateful. Sentebale works tirelessly to improve the lives of thousands of vulnerable children and orphans in Lesotho. I am immensely proud of everything the charity has achieved. However, there is still so much work to do. And it is only with your help that we can bring hope of a brighter future to the deserving children of Lesotho.’

 

Mr Ainsworth, a regular staff member on the Years 5 and 6 netball trips to South Africa, was offered the chance to run for the charity by PGS parent Jo Barnett, an Executive Director of Virgin Money Giving, which came into being as a direct result of Virgin Money’s sponsorship of the London Marathon.

A rigorous 16 week post-New Year training programme paid off despite injury and he completed the 26.2 miles course in 4 hours and 35 minutes, just shy of his target of 4 hours 30, without having to walk any of the way.

He raised around £2,500 and would like to thank pupils, parents and staff for their sponsorship and help.

‘I have astounding memories that I will keep forever – the amazing support from thecrowds who just encouraged you all the way, the atmosphere and the emotions - and being overtaken by people in fancy dress.

‘Being passed bya huge bottle of beer at mile 25 was very hard to swallow. I’m consoling myself that it might have been a bottle of Heineken and probably the best running beer in the world!’