Marathon man Scott Henery hits the road for charity

May 7 2008 Submitted by Scott Henery

SCOTT Henery is facing the challenge of a lifetime as he gears up to face eight challenges for 2008.

He intends to run, two 10ks, one 8 mile, four half marathons and a Marathon.

All this will be in aid of the British Dyslexic Association (http://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk/).

Being severely dyslexic himself this charity's aspirations are extremely important to him. His eight for '08 events are:

Event 1: Fradley 10K completed in: 56.30 mins - New Personnel Best
Event Date: Sunday 9 March 2008
Two laps round the village and largely traffic-free fast flat rural course

Event 2: Rotary Shakespeare Half-Marathon
Completed in: 2:09.50 mins - New Personnel Best
Event Date: Sunday 27 April 2008
A half marathon around the town and countryside of Stratford Upon Avon

Event 3: London 10k
Event Date: 26th May 2008
The BUPA London (10k) will take place on Bank Holiday Monday, May 26th 2008. The race will start and finish in St. Jamess Park.

Event 4: Midland fun run
Event Date: Sunday 1st June 2008
The run is staged over an 13.67k route starts in Sutton Coldfield town centre from where you enter Sutton Park at Boldmere Gate, negotiate approx 4.5 miles in the park including 'Cardiac Hill', before returning to the finish in the town centre.

Event 5: Birmingham and Black Country Half- Marathon
Event Date: Saturday 5 July 2008
The race takes place entirely on the canal network around Birmingham and the Black Country.

Event 6: The Reebok Bristol Half Marathon
Event Date: Sunday 14 September 2008.
The Reebok Bristol Half Marathon is one of the UK s leading road races. The race is now one of the largest and most popular half marathons.

Event 7: Run to the Beat
Event Date: 5 October 2008
This is London 's first official half marathon and will start and finish at The O2 Arena in Greenwich .

Event 8: Snowdonia Marathon (Britain s Iron Man Marathon)
Event Date: Saturday 25 October 2008
Start at Nant Paris (300ft) the route follows the A4086 and climbs to the top of the Llanberis Pass (Pen y Pass 1,100ft). It follows the A498 to Beddgelert (200ft) and there continues along the A4085 to Waunfawr. From here it is a rapid climb to about 1,200ft at Bwlch y Groes and then downhill to the finish in Llanberis.

"Up until a few months ago I was having trouble running a full bath let alone a race," says Scott.

"The last time I got any serious exercise was in PE lessons at school. And that was 26 years ago!  Now I'm getting home every day after work and at 8 p.m. to go for a run. I must be mad!"

The hard work will all be worthwhile for Scott if he succeeds in raising £3,000 for British dyslexia association.

"When I was diagnosed as severely dyslexia it was a very difficult and confusing time for me," Scott explained.

"I didn't know much about the condition and had no idea what sort of help or support was available for me.

"But I was put in touch with British Dyslexia Association and they have been amazing. They helped me talk to the local university where I was struggling with a vast workload that was required for my certificate in education.  Their help and support was brilliant, I have now achieved my dream, a nationally recognised teacher. I'm no longer running from, but FOR dyslexia.

"The British Dyslexia Association has done so much for me, now it's time I did something for them."

You can sponsor me per event or all in one go, if you help me raise my target of £3,000 by 28th October 2008.

I will finish my challenge with the Paris Marathon. Whatever you can afford to give, however small, will be much appreciated and could make a real difference. If I can get 100 people to give just £3.75 each per event then I will have reached my target. All that remains then is for me to finish my races!

You can sponsor Scott by visiting his online fundraising page on http://www.justgiving.com/pain2gain

You can pay by credit or debit card, and the money will go directly to British dyslexia association. Where supporters are UK taxpayers, the charity will automatically receive 28% extra in Gift Aid, which makes Justgiving the most efficient way of sponsoring Scott.