Asda worker takes on Big Apple marathon
A supermarket worker is swapping trolleys for trainers as he prepares to run the New York City Half Marathon for a hospital charity.
Brett Cooper, from Stafford, is travelling the 3,500 miles to the Big Apple in March to compete in the race in aid of the Chemotherapy Unit at County Hospital.
The 35-year-old Asda checkout supervisor will tackle the 13.1-mile route for the University Hospitals of North Midlands (UHNM) Charity.
Brett said: “I’ve had a number of friends suffer from cancer, so have been personally touched by its effects and wanted to raise as much funds as possible for this worthy cause.
"Having already done the Stafford Half, I wanted a new challenge to raise the profile of the Unit and doing the New York Half is a great way of getting people’s attention.
“My colleagues at Asda Stafford have been very supportive and are even holding fundraising events for me before I fly off. Training is going well at the gym and my running club, and I’m feeling really confident about it all.
"The atmosphere will be out of this world and I can’t wait for this once in a lifetime opportunity.”
The half marathon route will take Brett from Brooklyn, over the Manhattan Bridge, past the Chrysler Building and Grand Central Station before finishing in Central Park.
UHNM Charity works to improve patient care and experience at County Hospital, and has funded a number of recent improvements including a new chemotherapy garden to be used by cancer patients, and the refurbishment of the outpatients and orthopaedics departments.
Steve Rushton, UHNM Charity Manager added: “We rely on the generosity and support of fundraisers like Brett to enable us to continue our work at County Hospital. Every penny raised from his Half Marathon will go towards making a real difference to those receiving cancer treatments here in Stafford.”
Donations to Brett’s fundraising can be made in-store at Asda Stafford or online at www.virginmoneygiving.com/BrettCooper1.
