Welcome to the third of our Team Co-op London Marathon blogs. As part of our National Charity Partnership with the British Red Cross we have a team of enthusiastic colleagues gearing up to run the 2016 Virgin London Marathon in support of our joint campaign to tackle loneliness in the UK. In the run up to race day (24^th April) we’re introducing the team through a series of blogs.

Kristian Blount
Area Manager, London

Training Strategy: 17 week beginner trainer plan

Fundraising Strategy: Engage the stores on my area and across London to help raise over 5k

What are your thoughts on Co-ops campaign to tackle loneliness with the BRC?: It’s great to be involved with a campaign that anyone can get behind to make a difference in our local communities.

What made you decide to run the VLM and what’s your goal?:  Lead by example.  1 person can make a real difference but with a whole team you can do amazing things!!  My goal will be to finish the Marathon alive raising over 5K!

Personal Motto: Whether it’s a 15 minute mile or a 7 minute mile IT IS STILL A MILE.

To support Kristian and the campaign to tackle loneliness you can donate to his JustGiving Page at:  www.justgiving.com/Kristian-Blount

Keith Rodaway
Store Manager, Lordship Lane, Dulwich

Training Strategy: My training plan started in January on the treadmill. Now I’m hitting the road along with Johnson Edman (Store Manager in Forestdale) who also is in Team Coop! Now running 15km runs, next week my aim is 20km.

Motivation: Loneliness goes unnoticed & the fact that we are bringing this to the forefront of people’s minds is a great thing. I chose to run this year to do my part to support such a great cause of tackling loneliness. My goal is to raise £2000 & hopefully a lot more.

What would your personal motto be?:  Blisters are temporary, medals are forever

To support Keith and the campaign to tackle loneliness you can donate to his JustGiving Page at: https://www.justgiving.com/Keith-Rodaway2/

Could you take on a challenge as part of our Charity partnership with the British Red Cross?

The Co-operative Snowdon Trek
This 25^th June we are offering members and colleagues the opportunity to trek to the summit of Mount Snowdon and raise vital funds to tackle loneliness in communities across the UK.

Registration is just £10 and we challenge you to raise a min. £100 in sponsorship.

Sign up & find out more here: http://www.redcross.org.uk/cooperativesnowdontrek

If trekking isn’t your cup of tea then take a look at our alternative fundraising ideas for March

 
Look out for upcoming blogs featuring Team Co-op runners: Chris Cooper, Mathew Bardwell & Victoria James.

Read previous Team Co-op blogs here:

Pete Thunder & Elliot Upton 

Leigh Newman & Wayne Bateman