Chris Bolton - London Marathon 2024

I have decided to run the London Marathon 2024.

I share this with a mixture of excitement and trepidation; I can already feel the pain…

This will be my first experience of this distance, and so it feels a huge challenge at present…but one I am immensely focused on achieving. As well as aiming for a personal achievement; I will also and perhaps more importantly be raising money and awareness for a fantastic charity.

The Lord’s Taverners charity was born in the famous Tavern at Lords Cricket Ground in London in 1950, with the auspices of supporting young people through sport. It has developed over the decades into a fabulous charity that has helped thousands of young people, and in particular in recent years those facing challenging and disadvantaged beginnings in life.

In their own words, they;
“exist to positively impact the lives of young people facing the challenges of inequality. We work across the UK and beyond to provide inclusive and impactful cricket programmes, empowering young people with disabilities and from disadvantaged communities to develop the knowledge, skills, capabilities and confidence required to overcome the challenges of inequality, raise their aspirations and reach their potential.”

Cricket has always been at the heart of the Lord’s Taverners, and specifically the creation of opportunities for young people to play the sport has been part of their purpose for many years. I have been fortunate to play this wonderful game for over four decades and was fortunate myself to have access to superb support in the form of people, facilities, coaching and opportunities. I hope I never took that for granted and am extremely grateful to all that played a part in helping my game.

Not everyone has this.

It is as important as it ever has been to provide access to opportunity for young people; to see a pathway, to realise their potential and as such I am proud to be able to support this outstanding charity to support all those young people that require it; specifically providing access to sport for young people with both learning and physical disabilities as well as those from areas of deprivation. I truly hope to raise awareness and funds to support them during the next year.

If you are able to support myself and the charity, I would be hugely grateful for any support you can offer. Thank you...and see you on the start line!