Members doing great things… pt2

In the coming weeks, Brakes fans (and Trust members) Steve Wharton and Pete Warren will be undertaking some pretty impressive feats for charity. Steve will be running the Great North Run in aid of Children with Cancer UK, and Pete will be cycling the whole length of the Grand Union Canal from Birmingham to London in aid of Myton Hospice.

Here are their donations pages:
uk.virginmoneygiving.com/SteveWharton
www.mytonhospice.org/fundraising/your_fundraising_pages_all/PeterWarren

In part two of this article, we talk to Steve about his upcoming Great North Run.

Steve Wharton and Vince Taylor after the Whitnash Fun Run

What has inspired you to do the Great North Run this year? Has it been a long held ambition?

SW: Obviously being from that neck of the woods, I’ve always wanted to do the Great North Run, if I was going to do a half marathon.  My sister and I used to do the Junior GNR (about 5 miles in old money).  I had a bit of a bucket list of things I’d like to do before I hit the 4-0.

Do you have any personal reasons for the charity you have selected?

SW: Mum was diagnosed with breast cancer around 4/5 years ago (completely on the mend) and one of my best mates, Vince, went through a similar experience with his wife (completely on the mend too) and we’ve been raising money in different ways for Cancer Research. Being involved with junior grassroots football, I wanted to raise awareness for Children with Cancer, and if possible, raise some money through sponsorship.

How are the preparations going and what is the toughest part?

SW: I didn’t realise the amount of time you have to commit to training.  I always knew it was going to hard, but waking up on a Sunday morning knowing you have to force yourself out for a 90 minute run, or, forcing yourself out after a pants day at work. I’ve had to drop 6-a-side with Pete and Vince, incase someone accidentally caused me some damage.  In terms of preparation, up until last week, I’d only really been doing long runs on a Sunday morning. I’ve started following a ‘plan’ which now involves running 5 times a week and a couple of rest days.

Finally, what will be going through your mind as you swing left onto that famous seafront at South Shields?

SW: Haha, relief I think more than anything. Relief and if there’s a Toby Carvery nearby.

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We’d like to wish Steve all the best for his training and the run itself on Sunday 7th September. Don’t forget, you can sponsor him by clicking the link below.