A WIRRAL man was among four who completed the London Marathon and raised almost £12,000 between them for a charity helping children with cerebral palsy.

Dave Gray, from Birkenhead, obtained his own place for last Sunday's event and selected Stick 'n' Step as his charity to support once more. He has raised £2,150 so far.

Also taking part was Rob Hayward, from Holmes Chapel, whose six year old daughter, Sophie, attends the charity’s Runcorn centre, ran the marathon with his friend and colleague Mark Sarkar, who lives in Stockton Heath, Warrington. Between them, the pair raised over £7,500, more than enough to cover a child’s place at Stick ‘n’ Step for a year. 

Chris Taylor, who lives in Crosby, Liverpool, also completed this year’s marathon and has raised over £1,790 so far for Stick ‘n’ Step.

Stick ‘n’ Step provides free weekly conductive education sessions to children and young people with cerebral palsy up to the age of 25, allowing them to gain the skills they need to live more independent lives.

The charity relies on supporters and volunteers to help raise the £750,000 required to deliver its services to over 100 families each year at its Wallasey and Runcorn centres.

Dave Gray has supported Stick ‘n’ Step for the last ten years. Every Easter and Christmas he provides Easter eggs and selection boxes for all the children who attend conductive education sessions at the charity’s two centres.

He said: "Through the last two miles, I was mentally at breaking point, there were so many emotions at this point but Stick ‘n’ Step was in my head the entire way!"

Netty Doyle, regional fundraiser for the charity, said: "We love all our supporters who go the extra mile – and in this case it was 26 of them!

"We can’t thank our four marathon men enough for their incredible achievement.”

To support the four runners efforts for Stick'n'Step, click on the following links:

Rob Hayward: https://www.justgiving.com/page/robert-hayward

Mark Sarkar: https://www.justgiving.com/page/mark-sarkar-1686844760024

Dave Gray: https://www.justgiving.com/page/d-gray-1712407682044

Chris Taylor: https://www.justgiving.com/page/chris-taylor-1706461242403

Stick ‘n’ Step provides free weekly conductive education sessions to children and young people with cerebral palsy up to the age of 25, allowing them to gain the skills they need to live more independent lives.

The charity relies on supporters and volunteers to help raise the £750,000 required to deliver its services to more 100 families each year at its Wallasey and Runcorn centres.

For more about the charity, go to www.sticknstep.org.