City Professional Takes on Fifth Marathon to Raise Cash for Sick Children's Charity

An enthusiastic runner will be taking on his fifth marathon later this year to raise money for The Sick Children's Trust which supports families with sick children by providing free 'Home from Home' accommodation close to their child's hospital bedside.

Rob Powell, Head of Pro Bono & CSR at international law firm Weil, Gotshal & Manges, has chosen to run for The Sick Children's Trust after the charity was selected as the firm's London Office Charity 2015/17. The charity, which runs ten 'Homes from Home' across the UK, has three houses in London that support families with seriously ill children at Great Ormond Street Hospital and The Royal London. Last year the charity helped around 3,600 families in total.

Rob, 33, from Hertfordshire, will be going back to the beginning as he runs the Virgin Money London Marathon for a second time. Rob, who has already run four marathons, will be running facing the iconic London route once again after first completing it in 2012. He says:

“The Sick Children's Trust gives families with sick children in hospital something so important and vital – it enables them to be with their loved ones at what must be an extremely traumatic time. The houses in London do so much in helping many families from around the London area but also those who have to travel hundreds miles for their child's lifesaving treatment”

“Going back to where my running 'career' really started at the London Marathon, I am full of excitement. Back in 2012 it was hard as it was my first marathon and I hit the wall at about mile 17 – but the crowd really spurred me on. Marathons for me are one of the greatest events in the world as they bring thousands of people together to take part in a physical activity while raising thousands for incredible charities.

“Over the last few years I have really enjoyed challenging myself with marathons (but not the alarm going off at 5am in January for training runs) and have done them all for charity. This is the first one where I have a set target and I will be doing my best to make sure I reach it. I don't want to let anyone down.”

Rob, who also plans to run the Dublin Marathon later this year, will join 15 other runners in supporting The Sick Children's Trust, raising vital funds. It costs the charity £28 per night to provide a family with a room in one of its 'Homes from Home'. Alongside a private bedroom, the 'Homes from Home' include access to communal living rooms, dining rooms, kitchens, playrooms and laundry facilities. Community Fundraiser, Diane McPherson- Emery, says:

“We're so pleased to welcome Rob to 'Team SCT' - it's great to have him and Weil, Gotshal & Manges on board, supporting us this year and we can't wait to see him accomplish his goal in April. We know he's already training hard with long runs in the cold, dark and bleak mornings so we have every confidence that he will do very well in the London Marathon.

“And we'll be there, cheering him on, as we know how important it is for our runners to have great supporters there on the day. We're determined that Rob will hear us all the way round!”

If you would like to help cheer Rob and our other dedicated runners along on the day, please contact Diane@sickchildrenstrust.org.

To read Rob's full story and support his fundraising, please visit: www.justgiving.com/Robert-Powell13