John Davies, managing director of TDSi, is taking part in the gruelling Challenge 104.8 event, which will see runners taking part in four marathons over two days.
Four runners will cover an impressive 104.8 miles each and other team members will be cycling half the route with others running the last marathon. The event, which is being held in support of Wings for Warriors, Bosom Buddies, SPARKS and The Not Forgotten Association, will follow a route which starts at Goodwood Aerodrome near Chichester in Sussex, taking the runners along the South Coast to the finish point at the Virgin Active Club in Poole, Dorset.
Now reaching the pinnacle of his training regime, Davies commented, “My initial motivation for taking part in the challenge was obviously to support the four excellent charitable causes. But on a more personal level, the training regime (both physical and mental) has been a real eye-opener for me, helping to focus my mind and putting a new perspective on the pressures and opportunities of running a successful UK-based business. I’m also looking forward to seeing the South Coast from a different perspective – as well as the benefits of becoming really fit, I am personally gaining a lot from the experience too!”
Having taken on the grueling training programme, which has involved taking on longer and longer training runs, Davies and the team only have a week before the big event. However, it’s something he views with excitement rather than trepidation.
He added, “As a company TDSi takes its social responsibility very seriously and regularly supports worthy causes, but taking part in Challenge 104.8 has given me the opportunity to do something directly for charity, which is incredibly rewarding. I have had a tremendous amount of support, not only from the other runners but also from everyone who has helped me train and the huge generosity of those that have sponsored us. We still have room to raise even more money, so I would ask everyone to please think about donating whatever they can towards these outstanding charities.”
Wings for Warriors is a UK registered charity that aims to re-train injured service personnel as commercial pilots. For many soldiers, life outside of the forces can appear scary and uncertain at the best of times. Add a life changing injury to the equation and the future can quickly become a depressing place to be. The charity provides students with the skills to achieve an exciting and challenging future outside of the confines of military life.
Bosom Buddies was founded in June 2011 and aims to inform, educate and potentially help save lives of both men and women by showing how to look for the earliest signs of Breast Cancer and what you should do to act upon them. Its ‘Buddies’ system has been established to help and advise secondary school girls on the signs and symptoms of breast cancer. This support network also provides woman of all ages with someone to turn to if they are worried.
SPARKS was formed in 1991, and aims to improve the quality of life for children and families affected by serious illness or disability. It also seeks ways to better diagnose, treat and prevent these conditions in the future. The charity has pioneered research projects across a wide spectrum of medical conditions including childhood cancers, cerebral palsy, premature birth and spina bifida. In total, the charity has funded over 250 research projects in more than 80 hospitals and universities across the UK. The medical breakthroughs it makes possible make a difference not only across the UK but for thousands of children and families around the world.
The Not Forgotten Association is a unique tri-service charity which provides entertainment and recreation for the serving wounded and the ex-service community with disabilities. In order to fund and deliver its broad programme of activities it relies heavily on the generosity of other charities, grant-giving trusts, commercial organisations, associations, groups and individuals.
More Information:
For more information on TDSi and John Davies’ participation in the Challenge 104.8, please visit www.tdsi.co.uk or call 01202 723 535.
