Norwood team’s Marathon effort raises £100,000

Twenty six athletes braved 26 miles of aches, pains and occasional rain to raise an incredible £100,000 for Norwood during the London Marathon on Sunday. The cool and occasionally wet weather created ideal running conditions for the large Norwood team, whose marathon effort generated vital funds for the people with learning disabilities, and children and families in need, who rely on the Charity’s life-changing support. On arrival at the finish, they were also offered much-needed ‘TLC’ by trained sports massage therapists Judith Michaels and Rosie Zadah, who are Norwood bike riders and generously volunteered their services for free.

The marathon was a family affair for Harry Green and his three brothers Joe, Sam, and Jacob, who hope to raise around £10,000 between them. Harry, 20, is currently studying mechanical engineering at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, and was only able to fly in on Friday because of the volcanic ash cloud.

"It was a night flight but I didn't sleep at all," said Harry, whose family has a long-standing connection with the Charity. Proud dad Philip was Chairman of Ravenswood before it merged with Norwood, while their mum Caroline is Norwood’s in-house legal advisor. "However, I stayed awake on Saturday and had a good night’s sleep and felt fine. From the 23rd mile onwards it was pretty tough but the atmosphere was amazing, especially near the start when people were coming out of their houses with musical instruments and really cheering you on. It was fantastic."

His brother Jacob, 18, who attends St Paul’s School in London, agreed, adding: "There was a lovely atmosphere, and you'd hear people in the crowd shouting your name and encouraging you carry on. It gives you a real lift."

Meanwhile, Cambridge University student Robert Desmond, 20, is hoping to raise an incredible £20,000 thanks to his generous dad and Norwood President Richard, who agreed to match whatever amount his son collected in sponsorship. Robert, who was running alongside friend Oliver Gershfield, also thought the support from the crowd provided ‘a real boost’, as did the jelly beans being handed out en route.

“Norwood is a fantastic charity and I know that the money I have raised will do a lot of good,” he added. “People responded really well to my appeal when I told them it was for Norwood. I hope running the marathon this year will be the start of greater involvement with the Charity in the future.”

For 23-year-old Daniel Mitchell, from Edgware, who raised around £2,700, running the marathon for Norwood was his chance to ‘give something back’. “Norwood helped me out when I was younger,” he said. “I had some family issues and Norwood came to the rescue and offered me counselling. I wanted other children to have the chance to receive the help that my siblings and I had. I would encourage everyone to raise money for Norwood.”

Another participant for whom Norwood is a cause close to their heart is great grandmother Flora Frank, who has completed 21 marathons for the Charity and is hoping to raise £12,000 this year. “I’m very passionate about Norwood and I think it is such an important charity,” said Flora, 66, from Edgware, whose 54-year-old brother Nissim Moses lives at Ravenswood, the Charity’s residential community for adults with learning disabilities in Berkshire. The power walking dynamo completed the marathon in around five hours and fifty minutes and described the atmosphere as ‘incredible. “At one point, some people recognised me and all started chanting my name,” she said. “It was an amazing boost.”

Ian Tate, Norwood’s Head of Challenges, said: “On behalf of Norwood, I’d like to thank each and every one of the 26 runners who raised such an incredible sum during this year’s London Marathon. While some of them may finish the marathon wishing they had never agreed to sign up to such a grueling challenge, they should all feel proud that their support will help so many people to change their lives and achieve their full potential.”

Those running in the 2010 London Marathon for Norwood were: Lee Bibring, Asher Budwig, Nicola Cane, Simon Deen, Robert Desmond, Flora Frank, Andrea Fraquelli, Oliver Gershfield, Robert Graham, Harry Green, Jacob Green, Joseph Green, Samuel Green, Jane Jaffe, Samuel Kaye, Emma Levy, Leeor Levy, Sam Matthews, Daniel Mitchell, Neville Newman, Michael Patterson, Dominic Rosenfeld, Justin Selig, Richard Stanton, Greg Steeves, Max Truman.