University of Worcester lecturers set to take on London Marathon challenge
The pair will help push their wheelchair-bound friend around the course
Last updated 2nd Mar 2024
Two sports lecturers from the University of Worcester are aiming to assist their wheelchair-bound friend and family member to complete this year’s London Marathon.
Dr Darren Cooper and Richard Pepperell, will be part of a team of five this April who are taking on the challenge over the 26.2 mile route.
They'll be supporting Gareth Rees, who is paralysed from the neck down after injuring his spinal cord playing rugby in 2011.
Together they are aiming to raise funds for the RFU Injured Players Foundation, a charity that has provided support for Gareth since his injury.
Richard says it's not the first time he's taken on a challenge like this, and it'll be an emotional one to complete.
"I know Gareth because I used to play rugby with him right up until he had his injury.
"In the past we've done some fundraising events together, one where we cycled all the way to Paris before, and I wanted to get involved again with this one and help out wherever needed.
"We are doing this in a unique way and are part of a big team, so we'll be experiencing all the pain and emotions together throughout the way, but I think crossing the line at the end will just bring a flood of emotions out of us all."
For the occasion, Gareth is having a wheelchair built, which will help the team and Gareth to be as comfortable as possible along the journey.
Their aim is to complete the course in around five hours, and Darren says it's exciting now they are drawing closer and closer to the date.
He said: "You see the emails reminding you your getting closer and closer to the event, and it's scary in a way but also keeping us focused on our goal which is in front of us.
"Only two of us have to push the chair at once, so we can run with one arm on the chair then the other for our running action, and then swap places throughout.
"There's going to be a lot of chopping and changing around corners and trying to dodge other runners, but the most important thing is getting over that finish line at the end all in one piece and together as a team."
Gareth, who's from Warwick, has also been doing his own training to make sure he is fully prepared for the big day.
He said: "I've only got movement in my shoulders and above, so I need to make sure I'm not bouncing around and slipping down and falling sideways.
“It’s a harder seat so it’s making sure I’m okay, especially my skin, even though I’m just essentially sitting there.
"I need make sure I am healthy when we get to the start line and am in a condition where I can do it, so although I’m not doing athletic training, I still need to be prepared.”
They have raised £2,000 so far, with the London Marathon this year takes place on 21 April.