FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Three generations prepare to run the Virgin Money London Marathon
09/04/2018
Three generations of the same family will take on the Virgin Money London
Marathon, all in support of the medical research charity RAFT. Robert (Bob)
Jenkins (81), his son Robert Alun Jenkins (49) and grandson Iwan Fesnoux
(20) will be running together to raise money for a charity dedicated to
improving the lives of children and adults that have suffered physical
trauma.
A seasoned runner, Bob, from Uxbridge, has run every London Marathon since
1993 and has raised over £50,000 for RAFT, recently becoming a patron. His
son Robert has followed in his footsteps and raised over £25,000 since they
were first introduced to the charity.
"After we had our first place through RAFT (in 1993), we attended one of
their open evenings and found out more about what they did and thought 'if
you're going to put yourself through that much pain it should be for a good
cause', which RAFT is," he says.
"They undertake research into new methods for reconstructive surgery, help
develop innovative new treatments for cancers, burns, birth defects,
prosthetics and wound healing which are used all over the world," says the
octogenarian.
Despite running 20 marathons, Bob is not a fan of running and does it
simply to raise funds and awareness for the charity. He did, however, beat
his son in the 2017 Virgin Money London Marathon after they started the
race from different starts. He explains: "On three occasions we have run
the London Marathon together, including 2017, where I finished in 5:44 and
beat him after he waited 20 minutes for me at four miles."
This year they will be joined by Bob's 20-year old grandson Iwan, who
decided to run after seeing first-hand the work the charity do.
Bob says: "After doing a placement with RAFT at Easter, for his Bio-Medical
Studies degree at Cardiff and, on seeing their work, decided he wanted to
run for them as well."
Their family will be cheering them on along the route, although Robert
Jnr's wife is expecting their first child in April so will be cheering her
husband on from the sofa.
The trio hope to raise £4,000 for the charity – visit their fundraising
page to find out more.
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