Cathy Fenn who works for The Pony Club HQ at Stoneleigh, where she is responsible for the website, the organisation of the many Championships as well as for the disciplines of Dressage, Show Jumping and Tetrathlon, is taking up the challenge to run the London Marathon to raise much needed money for The Anthony Nolan Trust after one of her work colleagues died from Leukaemia.

Cathy, 32, became aware of The Anthony Nolan Trust and its work Sophia Hopkinson who worked for British Eventing, was diagnosed with leukaemia and had a bone marrow transplant. Unfortunately Sophia died in 2001 but Cathy was inspired by her courage and decided to achieve a dream by running the marathon and raising lots money as well.

Cathy said “My target is to raise £2000. The training schedule has been exhausting and the early dark mornings through the winter have left me doubting my sanity! All my friends are helping me by handing out sponsor forms and I have a few web pages at www.pcuk.org/_pc/marathon and www.justgiving.com/cath On Sunday 2nd March I took part in a half marathon at Silverstone and so I know that the full distance will be a real challenge!”

Letitia Hayward, Area Manager for the Trust says that every year The Anthony Nolan Bone Marrow Trust receives thousands of requests from children and young adults who’s only hope of survival relies on them receiving a bone marrow transplant.

Although the Trust has a register of over 328,000 potential donors, their aim is to add as many new prospective donors to the register as possible. It costs £50 to fully tissue type each new volunteer and the Trust receives no Government funding whatsoever, all their revenue comes from the generosity of the general public and organisations who support the Trust’s work.

.