Mothers' Union member has raised over £6000 in sponsorship!

Lesley Parratt of St. Mark's Church Marske-by-the-sea was selected by the nationwide Mother's Union to represent them in the London Marathon and asked to raise a minimum of £2600 to help fund their work.

"It was a bit daunting, being the only MU participant in the field of 40,000 runners," said Lesley who divides her time between caring for her 90 year old father in Marske-by-the-sea and running her own home in Spennymoor.

Lesley began her training in January, running behind her father's electric wheelchair between Marske and Redcar and running from her home in Spennymoor to church services in Durham Cathedral.

Fund-raising began by asking family and friends and MU branches in County Durham to each raise £26, that represents £1 for each mile of the marathon distance. Scores of groups across Durham and North Yorkshire responded and soon money was rolling in from across the UK.

"I am absolutely staggered at the result." said Lesley, "We passed the target by the time I ran the marathon and the money just kept coming in. I can never thank everyone enough for all their support.

This week Lesley presented a cheque for £6250 to Lynne Tembey, the World-wide President of the Mothers' Union.

"The money is a fantastic gift. It will help fund our practical work here in the UK and in particular help to combat gender-based violence in certain African counties," said Mrs Tembey. The cheques was presented during the Family Communion Service at St. Mark's Church, Marske-by-the-Sea.