Mark Tweddle

A Lichfield dad-of-two has overtaken the former Olympic champion runner Dame Kelly Holmes to become the top charity fundraiser in the UK ahead of this weekend’s London Marathon.

Mark Tweddle
Mark Tweddle

The 38-year-old, of Kings Bromley, had set himself a target of raising £1,000 per mile from donations for the Teenage Cancer Trust – or £26,200 – and had vowed to personally match every penny donated.

His goal was to be able to hand over £52k to the charity, but Mark has surpassed that figure with a running total of £55,000 making him the top individual fundraiser for the 26 mile challenge.

And he is now appealing for anyone who hasn’t yet donated to his appeal to consider doing so in a bid to keep the Teenage Cancer Trust charity in pole position.

Mark, who is looking forward to his first pint in a year following the gruelling race, said: “I’m currently the top fundraiser for the marathon on Sunday and it would be great coverage for the Teenage Cancer Trust if I could remain there for the start of the race on Sunday.”

Since originally taking up the challenge to run the marathon as a bet, his wife Yvonne’s 17-year-old godson has been diagnosed with the disease and facing losing a leg.

It is not the first time that Mr Tweddle, who fulfilled his match funding promise when he hit his donation target amount, has supported Teenage Cancer Trust.

His fruit import and export company, Jupiter Marketing also donated a slice of the £16k it raised from completing the 3 Peaks Challenge to the trust, in honour of Burntwood fundraiser Stephen Sutton.

A current close second in the top fundraiser’s tally for the marathon is a Nick Mahoney with £45k, followed by Dame Kelly Holmes with £34k.

To d0nate to Mark’s marathon challenge, visit his online fundraising page.

 

Founder of Lichfield Live and editor of the site.

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Frustrated
7 years ago

Mark, best of luck for the marathon.

Fantastic amount that you are going to raise. You, are a real inspiration.