Actor Dan Crowder will be running the London Marathon for Beechwood Cancer Care in Stockport – marking the first time the Stockport charity has ever secured a place in the event.
Dan, who wanted to run for Beechwood after his friend, fellow actor and patron of the cancer care centre Morag Siller passed away after her own battle with the disease last year, aged just 46.
The 43-year-old had known Morag for 20 years, first meeting her when he had just left drama school in Sheffield.
He said: “Morag was in a stage production that I had been to see and I was sat in the bar afterwards and got chatting to her, asking her advice.
“We hit it off straight away, and were friends ever since, working together on a number of occasions. Acting can sometimes be a lonely profession – so it was great to have a good mate along for the ride.
“I admired the work she did to support Beechwood and she always talked passionately about the charity, so I am delighted that I am now also able to help. She was simply an amazing human being.”
Beechwood has been trying to secure places in the London Marathon for eight years and this year finally succeeded.
“Dan has now been training for the marathon since September – having never been a runner before and would like to complete the course in under five hours.
“His aim is to raise more than £3,000 for Beechwood.
He added: “I can’t believe that Beechwood got just one place – I couldn’t say no really!
“And I am so pleased that I am doing it – I have a goal for Morag and for Beechwood and I will be trying my very best.
“It is so close now – but I have done a lot of training and am really looking forward to it. I have not been a runner before, but am a keen swimmer, so I think that has helped with the cardio side of training.
“I am booze-free, and have improved my diet, and feel a lot better in myself for it – mentally and physically.
“I really want to now keep up running beyond the marathon – but might have a bit of a rest first!”
If you would like to make a donation to Dan, go to his Virgin Giving page.
