A team running this weekend’s Virgin Money London Marathon in honour of British hockey great Imran Sherwani have raised over £35,000 for dementia research.
The 12 ‘Going for Gold’ runners are raising money for Alzheimer’s Research UK in support of Sherwani, who was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease in December 2019.
The team comprises Steve Batchelor, who won gold with Imran in Seoul, Imran’s sons Zac and Aaron, while former GB manager Andy Halliday will be running the 26.2 miles while dribbling a hockey ball.
Batchelor said: “We’ve been blown away by the support we’ve had so far and hope to raise even more as we get towards race day. So many people from the hockey community who were inspired by Imran and the 1988 team have made donations.
“When I first heard Imran had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s it was a shock. You feel helpless when someone you are close to is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s but running the London Marathon to raise money for dementia research is something positive we are able to do to help.”
Zac Sherwani said that his father’s diagnosis had been “very difficult” for the family. “But we hope that the money we have raised will help to improve the lives of people living with dementia in the future,” he added, “by improving diagnosis so other people won’t have to go through the lengthy and difficult process my dad went through, and by finding new treatments that are so desperately needed.”
Clubs can also get creative and raise money for the charity.
The campaign runs until Sunday and every club who raises £100 or more will receive a ‘Thank you’ poster signed by Steve and Imran.
The club who finishes top of the leader board in ‘Gold’ will receive: A club coaching session from a GB hockey star. A framed, signed ‘thank you’ photograph from Steve and Imran. A 2022 Virgin Money London Marathon place for club.
Donations can be made to the Going for Gold team here
Sign up for the hockey club challenge here
