Boswell Team targets £10k for Mencap in 2010 London Marathon

Author: Richard Hartley
Published: 19/04/2010

A team of 6 runners from insurance brokers Alan Boswell Group will take part in this Sunday's London Marathon with the aim of raising at least £10,000 for national charity Mencap.

The team is made up of six colleagues, none of whom has run a marathon before – but who, between them, have been clocking up over 200 miles a week in training runs.

The team's determination is typified by ex-Norwich Rugby Club player Mark Linehan, who has shed over three stones in his bid for peak fitness. Mark has been helped by personal trainer and former Norwich City player Craig Fleming.

The other members of Team Boswell are Sarah Adcock, Luke Potter, Richard Hastings, Andrew Dowler and Christina Lakey. Between them, they are aiming to raise over £10,000 for Mencap.

Luke Potter, whose day-job is IT Support Manager, played basketball for Norfolk as a teenager, and he has thrown himself into the challenge of accomplishing a long-held dream.

"When we did long-distance running at school I would always be one of the last and I was one of the least fit in the class so it is quite ironic that I am now ready to run a marathon."

The Team Boswell six admit that without the impetus they have give each other, the opportunity to run a marathon would have passed them by.

"It is something I have always wanted to do – and have always said I wanted to have done it by the time I am 40. And since I will be 40 next October, this is my last chance to achieve that goal," said Andrew Dowler, managing director of Attleborough-based Alan Boswell Insurance Services.

Generous sponsors

Team Boswell has been delighted with the backing they have been given by both the Alan Boswell Group, their work colleagues and by generous sponsoring suppliers.

The team has been busy organising fundraising events such as dress-down days, cake sales and even staff poker nights.

"The staff members are all 100% behind us, which has been a brilliant boost," said Mark.

Donations have been made by several insurance companies including Aviva, Brit, Lonham, Ecclesiastical, Temple Legal Protection, AXA, Hiscox, Liverpool Victoria, Allianz and Broker Direct. And other key suppliers such as software provider Lindenhouse from Cambridge have also contributed.

"It's been great to get such generous support from these companies, especially during tough economic times" said Luke.

Only Corporate Team

Although there are 155 people running for Mencap in this year's London Marathon, the Boswell six are the only corporate team, said Ellen Brooks from the charity's fundraising events team.

"We are incredibly grateful for their support," said Ellen, who will be out on the course cheering the Team Boswell runners on.

Mencap wants a world where people with a learning disability gain an equal right to choice opportunity and respect. The charity believes that people should have equal opportunities in education, work and in playing a full part in the community. They believe that support for the families and carers of people with a learning disability is vital to achieving their vision