News

Footwear giant Shoe Zone steps in to help marathon fund-raiser

Release date: 22/1/2009

Footwear giant Shoe Zone stepped in with a £2,000 donation to help take a marathon fund-raising effort to more than £9,000.

The retailer offered to support a four-strong team of Harvey Ingram runners when they competed in the world famous ING New York City Marathon 2008. The runners were Lee Hennell, Will Irving, Jon Beaumont and Steve Conway. All four took part to help raise money for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust and ran in memory of Lee's wife Kathy Hennell, who died from the disease in June 2006, aged 33.

The runners funded their own trip to the Big Apple to ensure all money raised went directly to charity. After hearing about the team's entry into the New York marathon, Shoe Zone immediately got behind it by pledging to add 25 per cent to all donations.

Shoe Zone chief executive Anthony Smith says: "We are delighted to be able to support Lee and his fellow runners' efforts. They raised a superb sum in a very short space of time, for what is a very important cause."

Retailer Paperchase also made a very generous donation.

Runner and Harvey Ingram associate Lee Hennell says: "The support we have had from everyone has been fantastic. Shoe Zone's offer to match-fund our total sponsorship was an incredibly generous gesture and a superb boost to our fund-raising."