As if working in the city isn’t challenge enough, John Stanford , Director of insurance specialist  Moore Stephens Consulting (MSC),  has set himself the challenge of running 12 marathons in one year to raise money for Brain Tumour UK.

John has set himself this daunting goal in honour of friend and MSC [1], colleague David Fryer, who is undergoing treatment for a brain tumour. “It’s quite frightening seeing what David’s going through,” John says. “Having run the London Marathon in April 2009, I wanted to do something in honour of the battle that David is fighting.”

As a warm-up to his year, John ran a nine-mile “ankle-deep mud, lots of hills” training event on 7 February, with his first full marathon will be the South Devon Coastal Trail Marathon next weekend,  followed by the Pembrokeshire Coastal Trail Marathon in March. in three weeks’ time. His training schedule has been beset with difficulties, including illness, a calf injury and the recent snow, but he hasn’t let himself become discouraged. “I try to do four or five runs a week including a couple at the weekend and what I call a long run, a half marathon type,” he explains. “The training adds up to about 35 miles a week. The biggest difficulty is to balance staying fit with a hectic work schedule, and then coupling this with the fact there is almost no recovery time between the marathons.”

John plans to run marathons both in the UK and abroad – in the Czech Republic, Switzerland and possibly California. He expects the toughest challenge to be the South Downs Marathon in June. “This one has a total climb of 5,500 feet,” he says. “Plus, it’s going to be pretty hot.”

John (2) hopes to raise at least £10,000 through online donations at www.justgiving.com/12in2010. “It’s a big target and a big challenge,” he says, “but it will be a modest achievement when set against the challenge that David (3) has faced. Brain Tumour UK (4) provides support, funds research and raises awareness, helping everyone affected by a brain tumour, and I want to do everything I can to support their work.”

John’s fund-raising efforts are being helped by the Moore Stephens Charitable Foundation and all contributions would be greatly appreciated.
 
Notes to editors:

1.    London-based Moore Stephens Consulting is the IT consulting arm of Moore Stephens LLP. It provides a range of software development solutions across a number of industries. Moore Stephens Consulting is a wholly owned subsidiary of Moore Stephens LLP, which in turn is an independent member firm of Moore Stephens International association, one of the leading international accounting and consulting associations outside of the big four, comprising 647 offices of member and correspondent firms in 98 countries, involving 21,244 partners, principals and staff.

2.    John is the Delivery Director of Moore Stephens Consulting, with over 20 years’ experience working in the IT Industry. He is responsible for managing the processes and resources that deliver software solutions for the firm’s clients.

3.    David Fryer is a Director at Moore Stephens Consulting and has worked in the IT industry for over 20 years. With extensive experience in software and business operations as well as sales and business development, he has been responsible for business operations within the group and the development of the partner channel.

4.    Brain Tumour UK is the leading, caring charity committed to fighting brain tumours. Our personalised support is available online, on the phone, by email and through relaxed and friendly support groups. Our scientific research improves the quality of life for brain tumour patients and identifies better treatments. And we raise awareness to help make things better for everyone affected by a brain tumour.