K3 Capital Group is supporting Niall Thomas, Knightsbridge Commercial Sales Manager, to sprint through the finishing line in his Manchester marathon fund-raising quest.
Niall is tackling his first organised marathon on Sunday April 16th with the aim of raising £500 for the Alzheimer’s Society, a charity close to his family’s heart.
Already well on the way to reaching the monetary target thanks to generous donations made via his JustGiving page, Niall is receiving an extra push from K3 – who organised a company dress-down day on Thursday April 6th, the eve of the easter holiday weekend.
Staff were invited to dress casually and donate £2, with the funds collected being put towards Niall’s running total (excuse the pun) as he closes in on achieving his double goal.
“It’s humbling to have this kind of support in your working environment and it’s great that the business is getting behind me,” said Niall, from Euxton, near Chorley, in Lancashire.
Although this is the first official marathon he has attempted, he has completed the distance previously when organised events were not possible due to covid restrictions – and that time, in May 2021, he raised £800 for the Miscarriage Association.
“I had set myself a target of running a marathon before my 30th birthday,” explained Niall. “This wasn’t without its drawbacks – I struggled throughout and found the recovery afterwards so difficult I said I wouldn’t ever attempt to run that sort of distance again.
“Fast forward to now. As a very goal-orientated person, I knew I needed to set myself a challenge to attempt to overcome some personal struggles. I decided to tackle a challenge I’d previously completed successfully.
“This year, I set out to replicate this challenge and ran 31 consecutive days in December – in extreme conditions, temperatures as low as -8c and with compacted sheet ice, rain and hailstones. Running in December really got my motivation and passion for running reignited.”
Since then, Niall has continued to run at least one mile every day, averaging over four miles daily, building up to some longer stamina tests to complete his training.
Another challenge he previously embraced was K3 capitals around the world in 30 days initiative, in which staff were asked to travel, under their own steam, for a combined 25,000 miles – one trip around the world – within that timeframe, raising a total of over £52,000 for a variety of charities.
Niall set himself a personal ambition to complete the most miles of anyone, logging 580. 8 via running and an exercise bike, posting over 100 miles on the final day to ensure he finished no 1!
Now, on April 16th, he has a mere 26. Two in front of him, hoping to finish in a time of around four hours, but with only his own legs and the inspiration of a 28,000-strong field, including other members of his local running club, to get him through.
“I’m ready for it,” said Niall. “Itching to get going.”
If you would like to support Niall by making a donation, please visit: Niall thomas is fundraising for Alzheimer’s Society (justgiving.com)