Dan Dobson and Aaron Eaton have taken up the challenge to run the EDF Energy Birmingham Half Marathon.
21 July 2010
Despite having never been keen runners, two Suffolk men have signed up for the EDF Energy Birmingham Half Marathon to help raise funds for a cause close to their hearts.
Network planning technician Dan Dobson and health safety and sustainability advisor Aaron Eaton from EDF Energy Networks will be spending this summer running along the country lanes of Suffolk ahead of pounding the streets of Birmingham on October 24.
They will be raising funds for the MS Society which is an especially poignant cause for Dan, whose sister Katie was diagnosed with the illness in 2006.
Dan, 31, from Benton Street, Hadleigh (in Suffolk), said: “I saw an invitation to apply on our staff intranet and instantly thought it was not only a worthy challenge but a great opportunity to raise some much needed funds for the MS Society.
“Since Katie’s diagnosis it has always been an objective of mine to support the MS Society in some way. They offer those diagnosed with MS the foundation on which they can improve many aspects of their lives.
“I immediately contacted my colleague Aaron to see if he would run with me, to my surprise he said yes! It is fair to say our level of fitness is low but our spirit is high. Within minutes of reading the article we had applied and the challenge was underway.”
Aaron, 30, from East Row, Holbrook, said: “We have no experience or love of running, and currently our fitness may not be all we'd hope so this is a real challenge. Up until now I have only run if it's absolutely necessary in football to score a goal, while Dan, despite being a re-born cyclist, is hoping there'll be smoking points around the 13.1-mile course.”
Diana Gornall, head of community and events fundraising at the MS Society, said: “We are delighted that Dan and Aaron have dedicated their first run to the MS Society – I’m sure their energy and enthusiasm will see them through. We are really grateful to them and wish them good luck!”
The duo is hoping that colleagues both at their office in Colchester and further afield, will dig deep to support this worthwhile cause and to motivate them around the streets of Birmingham. If you’d also like to help, you can donate via their justgiving page at: www.justgiving.com/Dan-and-Aaron-run-for-The-MS-Society
ENDS
For further information, contact Tracey Sparling in the EDF Energy press office on 08701 962504.
Notes to editors:
EDF Energy is one of the UK’s largest energy companies, producing around a fifth of the nation’s electricity from its nuclear, coal and gas power stations, as well as combined heat and power plants and wind farms. The company provides power to a quarter of the UK’s population via its electricity distribution networks and supplies gas and electricity to more than 5.5 million business and residential customers. It is the number one supplier of electricity to major business in the UK.
EDF Energy’s safe and secure operation of its eight existing nuclear power stations at sites across the country makes it the UK’s largest generator of low carbon electricity. EDF Energy is also leading the UK’s nuclear renaissance and has published plans to build four new nuclear reactors, subject to the right investment framework. These new plants would generate enough low carbon electricity for about 40% of Britain’s homes. They would make an important contribution to the UK’s future needs for clean, secure and affordable energy. The project is already creating business and job opportunities for British companies and workers.
Through Our Climate and Social Commitments EDF Energy has launched the biggest environmental and social programme of any UK energy company. EDF is the official energy utilities partner and sustainability partner of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The company is also helping its customers and others use energy more sustainably through products and initiatives such as Read, Reduce, Reward and Team Green Britain.
EDF Energy is part of EDF Group, one of Europe’s largest power companies. Following the integration with British Energy in 2009, the company employs nearly 20,000 people at locations across the UK.