Member Article

Solicitor’s Marathon Effort for Charity

A Warwickshire solicitor is swapping her heels for running shoes as she prepares for the London Marathon with the aim of raising £4,000 for a local charity.

Rachel Clarke, a corporate commercial solicitor at De Marco Solicitors, has gained a place in next year’s world-famous event to boost funds for the Heart of England Community Foundation.

Rachel has begun her training regime for the 26.2 mile distance by pounding the streets of her home town of Stratford-upon-Avon – along with her 19-month-old daughter Helena in a three-wheeled running buggy.

Rachel said: “I have had an interest in running for around 12 years and have completed many half marathons and 10k races, including the Shakespeare Half Marathon on four occasions.

“When I joined De Marco Solicitors earlier this year, I told Sandra Garlick, who is Principal of the firm, about my hobby.

“Sandra is also a trustee of the Heart of England Community Foundation and suggested I take up a place that the charity had secured in the London Marathon.

“I saw it as a challenge of my physical ability but also a great opportunity to raise funds for what is such a worthwhile local cause.”

The Heart of England Community Foundation gives grants to support community projects and groups across Coventry, Warwickshire and Solihull.

Rachel added: “I am training five times a week, covering about 50 miles to help with my preparations and after recently completing the Robin Hood Marathon in Nottingham in less than four-and-a-half hours I am looking forward to hopefully beating that time.”

Tina Costello, of the Heart of England Community Foundation, welcomed the support.

She said: “We are delighted that Rachel will be raising money for the Heart of England Community Foundation at the London Marathon.

“She has set herself an ambitious target and it would be fantastic to achieve that because we know that there are so many projects across our patch that this could help.”

To sponsor Rachel visit http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/RachelEClarke

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by De Marco Solicitors .