Innovative Marcus lauded with top charity honour - The Evesham Observer

Innovative Marcus lauded with top charity honour

Evesham Editorial 30th Dec, 2020   0

A DEVOTED Evesham runner has received royal recognition for his innovative fund-raising efforts for WaterAid during Covid-19

Marcus Mumford, 41, ran a marathon in the shape of a tap after Covid-19 brought all large-scale events to a halt.

The long-time WaterAid supporter received the President′s Award – the highest honour the charity can give, which is acknowledged and signed by the charity’s President, HRH The Prince of Wales.

Having supported the charity since 2005, Mumford had high ambitions for 2020. He was due to take on two epic fund-raising challenges this year – the London Marathon, in which he hoped to break the Guinness World Record for the fastest marathon dressed as a tap, and a run from Land’s End to John O’Groats. When the events were cancelled, he had to find his own way to support the charity.




Mumford ran a full marathon (42km) on a tap shaped course around the farm where he lives, raising more than £2,000. His fund-raising challenge inspired the water and sanitation charity to launch their very own ‘Tap Challenge’ – a virtual fundraising event where supporters walk or run the shape of a tap in a show of solidarity with the 1 in 10 who live without clean water close to home.

The Evesham Vale Running Club athlete said: “I had ambitious plans for 2020, including smashing a Guinness World Record dressed as a tap!


“When the events were cancelled, I knew I wanted to continue supporting WaterAid and the lifesaving work they are doing to bring clean water to the world’s most vulnerable communities.

“I am honoured to have received the reward and am proud my tap-shaped marathon inspired WaterAid to roll out the challenge to their supporters. It is great to see people coming together to support the charity.”

Tim Wainwright, WaterAid’s Chief Executive, said: “Marcus has been a fantastic fund-raiser and a highly valued supporter, going above and beyond to raise both funds and awareness for WaterAid’s work to get clean water and decent sanitation to vulnerable communities around the world.

“The pandemic has highlighted just how important clean water and good hygiene are in helping people protect themselves from the spread of diseases, so our work is as important as ever. With all large-scale fundraising events having been cancelled, we are so grateful to our supporters who have continued to find innovative ways to support us.”

 

 

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