Press Release
23rd February 2009
Braving the cold: Local man attempts 10th marathon for disability charity
It may be one of the coldest winters in recent years, but that isn’t stopping Chris Browne, aged 53 from Epsom, who is already out pounding the streets, in training for his 10th marathon for the national disability charity, United Response.
Over the years, Chris has managed to raise a remarkable £18,000 for the charity and with his 2009 London Marathon attempt on 26th April, he hopes to raise even more.
Having worked for United Response for 11 years, Chris knows the difference the charity’s work makes to people’s lives. This year, Chris has chosen to raise money for a new service for people with learning disabilities in North West London, which United Response will be opening shortly. With help from Chris, the centre will provide people with the support they need to become more independent, help them develop their practical skills, offer them a place to go, and crucially support them to play a bigger role in the community.
Chris said:
“Many of the people United Response supports would probably love to take part in a marathon, but some are not able to, and so for me running is about giving something back.
“There is always a point somewhere between 16 and 17 miles into the race when things start getting really tough. At those times I find it really empowering to remember that the money I’m raising will improve other people’s lives.
“By the time the race comes around I hope to be running around 45 miles a week. It’s not easy getting up for a run when it’s so cold and dark outside, but experience has shown me that putting in the training now will really pay off on the big day.”
To sponsor Chris’ 10th marathon attempt, go to www.justgiving.com/hillingdon
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For more information please contact Sarah Bartlett or Jaime Gill in the United Response Press Office on020 8246 5237/ 020 8246 5122 or emailsarah.bartlett@unitedresponse.org.uk or jaime.gill@unitedresponse.org.uk
Note to editors
United Response is a top 100 charity operating in England and Wales, providing a range of support and services for more than 1,500 people with learning disabilities, mental health needs or physical disabilities. We employ over 2,000 people across the organisation and have won many awards for our pioneering work since being founded in 1973.
Our mission is to enable people with learning disabilities, mental health needs and physical disabilities to take control of their lives.
Our vision is a society where disabled people are equal participants and have access to the same rights and opportunities as everyone else.
The services we provide depend on each person we work with. We can provide 24-hour support for people with profound physical needs, or just a few hours for those who need less support to live their lives. We can job coach someone into meaningful paid employment. We can provide outreach support for someone with a mental health need or help people who find it difficult to communicate by making information more accessible. The key to our success is that we work with each person to do the things they want to do, supporting them to communicate what they want and tell us how we are doing.
In support of our vision, we also campaign to improve the lives of people with disabilities in society. This may mean lobbying decision makers such as MPs to ensure that people’s voices are heard or it might mean working directly with disabled people so that they can be more directly engaged in the democratic process. We also work with employers to ensure that more people with learning disabilities, mental health needs and physical disabilities get a fair opportunity to work.
In 2008 alone, we were shortlisted as best employer in the Third Sector Excellence Awards and highly commended for our Annual Report. We also won a highly prestigious National Training Award for the investment we make in our staff. To find out more please visit www.unitedresponse.org.uk.