Anderson Takes On 131 Miles For Charity With A Personal Connection

A team of five from a leading contractor and developer in the East are set to run a total of 131 miles in aid of a charity that has supported a friend and colleague.

The group, who all work at Anderson, are running the London Marathon in aid of the Helen Rollason Cancer Charity, which provides complementary therapies and counselling for people with cancer.

The organisation has been supporting Jo Hammond, 54, the wife of Anderson Training Manager Steve Hammond, who was diagnosed with an advanced, aggressive, squamous cell cancer of the bladder.

CEO Andrew Jay, who has run the London Marathon five times, said: “It is such a privilege to be able to do something tangible to raise money for such an incredibly worthwhile cause.

“People are our most valuable asset at Anderson – we put them front and centre of everything we do. To be able to support a charity with a personal connection therefore means a great deal to us.”

The Helen Rollason Cancer Charity supports patients throughout Essex and North London.

Steve said: “The Trust has been a huge comfort to us while we have come to terms with Jo’s diagnosis. We are thrilled that the runners have picked the charity as one to support.”

Joining the CEO on the marathon route will be Finance Manager Adam Bedingham, Development Administrator Ursula Clarke, Senior Planning Coordinator Alasdair Sherry and Project Manager Matt Keep, who is on his eighth marathon.

Adam, who has completed three marathons in the past, said he was determined to completed the 26.2 mile course in under four hours.

“I’ve previously trained in winter and run in the spring and training in this heat has been a struggle,” he said.

The team has a gruelling schedule, including early morning sessions, which aim to make the most of cooler morning temperatures.

Alasdair, 30, said: “The early morning sessions are taking some getting used to but I’m managing to stick to the schedule. We are a determined bunch – it’s such an important cause.”

Ursula, 54, added: “I usually run about six miles a week - so the increase in mileage has been a bit of a shock to my calves.”

The world-famous London Marathon route has remained largely unchanged since it began in 1981 and takes in many of the capital’s most spectacular landmarks. To sponsor the team, visit https://ww1.emma-live.com/AFLONDONMARATHON2022/?home_page