Colin has raised nearly £3,000 for national charity Leukaemia Care

An Enfield man is taking on a half-marathon this weekend in memory of his parents who both died of leukaemia.

Colin Batsford will be lacing up his trainers on Sunday (12th) to take on the Royal Parks Half Marathon, raising vital funds for national blood cancer charity Leukaemia Care.

The 63-year-old chartered accountant has a very personal reason for choosing to run for the charity.

He said: “Leukaemia took both my parents, who each had different types of the disease. My whole family is very aware of this dreadful illness and the devastating impact it can have, not only on those diagnosed but also on their families.

“Supporting a charity which helps people through such an impossibly difficult time means a great deal to me. I know first-hand what they are going through.”

After receiving overwhelming support from family, friends, clients and colleagues, he has since raised his original target from £500 to £3,000, which he is close to achieving.

“I have been amazed at the generosity of everyone around me. The encouragement I’ve received has been incredible and has kept me motivated throughout training,” said Colin.

“I haven’t done anything beyond spreading the word about my challenge, but people have responded in such a wonderful way. It has been very humbling.”

Colin has been following a training plan shaped with the help of his nephew, an experienced triathlete, and other friends who have previously run the Royal Parks Half Marathon.

“Training has gone really well, I’ve tailored advice to suit me which has paid off and I feel ready for the challenge. And once I cross that finish line, I’ll finally be treating myself to a very fine malt whisky that’s been waiting patiently for me during my training.”

Colin Dyer, chief executive of Leukaemia Care, added: “We are so grateful to Colin for taking on this incredible challenge for Leukaemia Care. Every year, around 10,000 people in the UK are diagnosed with leukaemia, and the money raised by people like Colin helps us continue to provide essential support and information to patients and their families.

“We wish him the very best of luck as he takes on this challenge, and hope he enjoys the occasion.”

The Royal Parks Half Marathon follows a route that takes in many of the capital’s world-famous landmarks on closed roads, and four of its eight Royal Parks – Hyde Park, Green Park, St James’s Park and Kensington Gardens.

Leukaemia Care provides vital support, information and advice to anyone whose life has been affected by a blood cancer.

Support Colin’s fundraising efforts via his JustGiving page:
Visit justgiving.com/fundraising/colinbatsford

No news is bad news

Independent news outlets like ours – reporting for the community without rich backers – are under threat of closure, turning British towns into news deserts.

The audiences they serve know less, understand less, and can do less.

If our coverage has helped you understand our community a little bit better, please consider supporting us with a monthly, yearly or one-off donation.

Choose the news. Don’t lose the news.

Monthly direct debit

Annual direct debit

£5 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else, £10 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else and a print copy posted to them each month. £50 annual supporters get a digital copy of each month's paper before anyone else.