A Bermondsey man is running the London marathon for the 32nd time this year, to raise money for children with cancer.
Millwall fan Kevin Downey has run the marathon every year except two in the past 32 years – one because the Lions were playing at Wembley, and the other because he was making mailbags for the Queen.
Kevin said he started doing the charity runs after his daughter, now 34, was born six weeks premature. “Today it’s nothing to be born that early,” he said. “Back then it was a big thing, she was in hospital for about six weeks.”
Over the decades he has raised about £115,000 for various children’s charities. “I just like to help any children’s charities in the UK,” he added. Children with Cancer, the charity he is fundraising for this year, raises and invests money for specialist treatment for children.
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Kevin’s best time for the 26-mile run is three hours and 45 minutes – but that was several years ago and he said he was unlikely to match that time this year.
“I’m 62 now, it’s taking its toll. On the day it’s worth it though. I’m probably looking at over five hours, that’s what it’s been the last few years – I haven’t even done much training yet.”
This year’s London marathon is on Sunday (October 4). The marathon is back after a year’s break because of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020. But that didn’t stop Kevin last year – he ran the 26 miles ‘virtually’ around south-east London, with an app on his phone monitoring his route.
“I’m always looking forward to it every year,” he said. “I always know that all the people who I know in Bermondsey and Rotherhithe will be out there on the route to say hello.”
Kevin has raised nearly £700 for Children with Cancer so far and wants to get to at least £2,500. Donate to Kevin’s fundraiser here.