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Scilly Councillor running to raise charity cash
4
Oct
2011
St Mary�s Councillor Gaz O�Neill is preparing to run the Royal Parks Half Marathon this Sunday, in aid of the charity Beating Bowel Cancer.
Cllr O�Neill�s marathon effort is being supported by the Isles of Scilly Steamship Company, which will be providing flights to and from St Mary�s to help him on his way to London to take part in the run.
Since he began running just six months ago Cllr O�Neill, owner of Dibble and Grub and The Deli on St Mary�s, has already raised more than �1,000 for disaster relief charity ShelterBox by completing the British 10k in June in 50 minutes.
This time he has set himself a goal of 2 hours to finish the half marathon, and if he manages to achieve it he will go on to run the Paris marathon in April 2012.
Cllr O�Neill said: �I�m really looking forward to having a go at my first half marathon on Sunday, and I have already raised �450 in sponsorship for Beating Bowel Cancer. Bowel Cancer affects 1 in 18 people in the UK and that figure is rising drastically. I was really shocked when I discovered that statistic, which is why I have chosen to support this charity.
�I�m very grateful to the Isles of Scilly Steamship Company for sponsoring my travel from St Mary�s to Land�s End by Skybus, as it means every penny I raise will be able to go directly to Beating Bowel Cancer. If I complete the 13 mile run in under 2 hours I can return to the Scillies happy but exhausted � although I won�t be able to rest for long if I want to run the Paris marathon in April!�
Jackie Hayman, Marketing Manager for the Isles of Scilly Steamship Company said: �We are very happy to be able to help Gaz with his travel arrangements to enable him to take part in the Royal Parks Half Marathon this weekend. We wish him the best of luck in the race and hope he manages to raise lots of money for charity while he�s doing it.�
The Royal Parks Half Marathon takes place this Sunday, 9 October in Hyde Park, London. You can support and sponsor Gaz O�Neill online by visiting www.virginmoneygiving.com/gazgonemad or by picking up a sponsorship form from The Deli.
Ends
06 October 2011
Photo Caption: Councillor Gaz O�Neill running in the British 10k in June 2010
Isles of Scilly Steamship Company Ltd was formed on 26 March 1920 and the first Scillonian Ship began regular trips to the Isles of Scilly on Thursday 2 February 1926. Since then the company has continually operated the shipping service which is a life line for the Isles of Scilly.
This year will be Scillonian III�s 34th year of service. The ship was commissioned and built for the Isles of Scilly Steamship Company by Appledore Shipbuilders Ltd in Devon with work starting in 1973. She sailed her maiden voyage on 19th May 1977 and since then has become a signature sight of the Islands and a preferred method of travel for many visitors and islanders alike.
For more information contact:
Natalie Blachford
DCA Public Relations on behalf of Isles of Scilly Steamship Co.
01208 77900 / 07887 841595
[email protected]
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