Pictured above: Ian McLaughlan preparing for the Potters
'Arf this weekend
Local lad Ian McLaughlan will be joining hundreds of other
athletes pounding the streets of Stoke this weekend as he puts his
best foot forward for Charity.
Aiming for the skies, Ian (aged 32, from Stoke) will attempt to
raise £500 for Midlands Air Ambulance Charity competing in
the Potters 'Arf on Sunday 12th June.
It was decided Ian would run the half marathon in aid of the
local air ambulance service after a staff vote amongst fellow
employees at North Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce.
Ian McLaughlan, Business Development Manager at the Chamber,
says: "Although you hope you will never need Midlands Air Ambulance
we all rely on it being there as you never know when yourself or a
loved one might need their help. I can see why my colleagues wanted
to support this charity.
"Running the half marathon is something I've always wanted to do
so I'm really pleased that I've now got the opportunity and know
that I'm helping out an extremely worthwhile charity at the same
time."
Midlands Air Ambulance attended 427 potentially life-saving
missions across Staffordshire alone last year. As a Charity it
receives no Government funding, relying solely on generous
donations from the general public and local businesses.
"Midlands Air Ambulance Charity needs to raise £6 million
each year to remain operational so fundraising activities such as
Ian's marathon attempt really do make all the difference," says
Amita Patel, Fundraising Manager at Midlands Air Ambulance Charity.
"I would like to wish Ian the very best of luck, I'm sure he'll
enjoy every step of his challenge."
Ian is hoping to complete the 13 mile challenge in just two
hours. To sponsor Ian visit www.justgiving.com/Ian-McLaughlan
The Potters 'Arf saw 203 athletes register on the launch day
alone this year, the highest to date since the marathon began 30
years ago. The marathon kicks off at 10.30am in Hanley,
Staffordshire, taking in some of the best running routes across the
Stoke area.