Mike Pollard, a team member at ForgeFix managed to complete the 2017 Virgin Money London Marathon for charity. Mike is the national sales manager for the fixings, fastenings and power too accessory distribution company. He managed to complete the 26 miles 385-yard marathon in 5 hours, 40 minutes and 41 seconds.
He managed to come 492nd in his age category, 60-64. Overall the 62-year-old was 34,384th overall out of a total of 40,382 runners that participated in the event. It is thought that this was the highest number of entrants they’ve seen at the 2017 Virgin Money London Marathon.
Mike’s amazing efforts were rewarded as he managed to raise £3,600 for his charity, Alzheimer’s Society. In order to further support the charity, it is said that he completed the course while dressed as a giant forget-me-not flower which is an integral part of the logo for Alzheimer’s Society.
Mike gained sponsorship from a number of different businesses from the building and DIY industry as well as his family and friends. Sponsorships came from businesses such as Toolbank, DEWALT, Wera, Broadfix, Roughneck Biz Power Tools and his own company ForgeFix. Andyfreight, the haulage and warehousing company used by a number of companies in the DIY industry also sponsored Mike for his efforts; as did PB Curran and OGL Computer, the leading IT solutions provider to the trade sector. The businesses sponsored a petal on Mike’s flower costume.
Mike Pollard chose Alzheimer’s society to run the marathon for because of his own experiences of dementia. Mike’s long-term partner Julie was diagnosed at 55 with early onset dementia; and at the moment she can’t drive, read or write and is in need of 24-hour care. The total number of people that are being affected by dementia is increasing, expecting to reach one million by 2021.
For his next fundraising attempt, Mike is planning on cycling the Way of the Roses which is 170 miles on a coast to coast route from Morecambe to Bridlington, taking place between the 12th and the 14th of May. Mike also plans on cycling from Land’s End to John O’Groats for the charity in 2018. Mike also has a just giving page for those wanting to show their support.
