CANARY WHARF COLLEAGUES RUN MARATHON FOR QUIT
Finance colleagues Charlotte Hickey and Anne Whyte are hoping a bit of friendly competition will spur them on to personal bests in this year’s London Marathon. Charlotte from Wandsworth and Anne, who lives in Balham, both work for Japanese bank Nomura in Canary Wharf and are running the London Marathon for UK stop smoking charity QUIT®.
To sponsor them, visit their fundraising page by clicking here
Both women have taken part in marathons before – 28 year old Charlotte has competed in London, NewYork and Dublin while Anne, 25, has previously run in New York.
Anne said: “It’s a great personal challenge and I’m looking forward to hopefully beating my previous time. Charlotte is my inspiration because she runs marathons sub 4 hours and I’d love to do that.”
Charlotte, who would like to run under 3 hours and 50 minutes, added: “Having a friend competing makes the build up and the day much better as you have someone close knowing what you’re going through. We’ve both know we can do it. Now we’re challenging our previous times.”
Anne and Charlotte chose to run for QUIT to raise awareness of smoking related issues, as they explain: “QUIT covers so many social aspects and illnesses. People still do not understand the consequences getting addicted to smoking can have, not only on themselves, but friends and family. “
The women have been training around the parks in South West London, and along the river from Putney to Richmond. It has been tough, especially when friends try and encourage them to swap running for nights out. Anne said: “After a 12 hour day in the office it’s difficult to find the motivation or energy to run. Also our friends are particularly sociable so there is always the distraction of the ‘one glass of wine.”
Charlotte has also been receiving advice from her dad, who has run more than 30 marathons. She said: “I’m on an email chain with him and a few of his friends that are running it talking about their training, millage and any injuries they are trying to shake off. It is good to listen to more experienced runners although they all have different opinions. I tend to ignore my Dad’s advice and listen to whoever is fastest that week.”
Both Charlotte and Anne are looking forward to the buzz of the day and meeting their friends and family for post-race celebrations.
Money raised from the marathon will be used by QUIT to help support its youth service Quit Because.
Quit Because aims to help young people all ages make informed choices about tobacco use through lively and interactive presentations in schools and youth clubs. QUIT Because presentations include a fun ‘ingredients’ show, demonstrating some of the 4,000 chemicals found in a cigarette. The Youth Presenters also offer support and advice to young people wanting to give up smoking.
Charlotte said: “Targeting young people can only be a benefit. In many situations the parents of young people will not know they smoke, taking away people in their life that could help. Having an alternative to turn to is invaluable. This is the same for young people considering taking up smoking, having someone to help outside of the family set up is of great benefit.”
Two other Londoners are also running for QUIT in this year’s marathon – Simon Dancer from Bow and Nigel Shardlow from Bermondsey.
QUIT is the UK independent charity that has helped over 2 million smokers. More details about QUIT are available on www.quit.org.uk. To date, presenters for QUIT Because have reached more than 1 million 8-18 year olds.
Quit Because desperately need more youth presenters across the UK, and donations will help our vital youth programme to reach even more young people.
Glyn Mcintosh - Tel: 0207 469 0409 or 07958795199 Email: g.mcintosh@quit.org.uk
Nicola Orchard - Tel: 0207 469 0414 or 07508318069 Email: n.orchard@quit.org.uk
QUIT is the UK independent charity that has helped over 2million smokers to stop. More details about QUIT are available on www.quit.org.uk
The Quitline® 0800 002200 is open 7 days a week, 9am-9pm, including New Year’s Day and free, individual same-day email help is available via stopsmoking@quit.org.uk
