Marathon runners raise thousands for WaterAid

Bob Prothero after finishing the Flora London Marathon dressed as a carrot

Credit: WaterAid / Caroline Davies

29 April 2009

101 people took part in the Flora London Marathon on 26 April to raise money for WaterAid.

Among the runners were WaterAid supporters dressed as Humphrey the camel, a bucket, a toilet and, surprisingly, a carrot!

Bob Prothero, 49, from Staines, dressed as a giant carrot and completed the marathon in 3:34:35, winning the Guiness Book of Records title of "World's Fastest Marathon, dressed as a Vegetable" – raising over £2,000 for WaterAid!

Bob said, "I decided to support WaterAid because we all need safe, clean water to survive.  In a world where there is so much extravagance and waste, to deny anyone of this basic human right is outrageous."
 
David Fortune, 51, from Banbury, ran dressed as a toilet, completing the course in 4:20:10 and raising double his target at over £800. David, who creates and supplies specialist software systems for the water industry, said, "I chose to run for WaterAid because I am aware of the tremendous legacy left to us in the UK by those who developed our water supply and sanitation systems. We are all healthier, wealthier and happier because we have clean water – and yet we are able to take this for granted.

I feel privileged to be able to support WaterAid 

"Millions of people in other countries are not so lucky; diarrhoea caused by poor sanitation and lack of clean water is the second biggest killer of children worldwide. The ideas and practical support offered by WaterAid are transforming millions of people’s lives year after year. So I feel privileged to be able to support the charity.

It is hoped that the WaterAid runners will raise a total of around £110,000.

You can still support WaterAid runners by visiting their justgiving pages here.

For more information, please contact Nicola Bourne on nicolabourne@wateraid.org or 020 7793 4939.