PKDS are searching for a very special runner! We were successful in our application to be awarded a sought after place in the Virgin Money London Marathon 2017 to help us raise much needed funds. We support both young people and adults with physical, learning and sensory disabilities to maximise their full potential in sport and fundraising through this prestigious event will ensure we continue to facilitate athletes participating in their sport of choice.
So who are we looking for? We recognise that a significant amount of our work has a focus on athletes who have congenital disabilities so for this opportunity we are specifically looking for an ex-service man or woman who has had to leave their profession due to an acquired disability. We believe this opportunity could be pivotal in an individual’s recovery and perhaps give a new purpose to their life.
The main purpose of the awarded charity place is to raise funds for Perth & Kinross Disability Sport but as important, is the impact the training and running in such a tremendous event could have on an individual. We are completely unaware of what the demand may be for this place but ideally we are looking for our runner to live in Perth & Kinross. There is only one place we can offer but if demand is high, we can explore new opportunities for others to take part in, whether that be an existing sports opportunity or developing new ones.
Any runner has to be aged 18years at the date of the marathon on 23 April 2017 and must raise their fundraising through PKDS Virgin Money Giving page. Unfortunately we cannot accept applications from individuals who would require to take part in the wheelchair race – only because we would then have to enter an additional ballot to secure a place and there are no guarantees with this. We can accept applications from anyone who has a visual impairment as we can apply for them to be allocated a guide.
PKDS aren’t setting down a specific fundraising target until we have chosen our runner and this will be negotiated later as we understand that in the current financial climate, large fundraising targets are not always achievable
PKDS would also like to make an appeal to any local business who feels they could offer additional support to our runner in the run up to or during the weekend of the event e.g. accommodation , travel, kit, personal training, physiotherapy etc.
We can offer training support to our chosen runner – Branch Project Manager Caroline Ness has completed 5 marathons, including the Virgin Money London Marathon twice, and 2 ultramarathons, is a Level 2 Athletics Coach and the Head Coach for Athletics with the Tayside Special Olympics team who are attending the National Summer Games in Sheffield in 2017.
Anyone interested should get in touch with Caroline at carolineness@perthandkinrossdisabilitysport.com