The Platform

We have reached (non-consecutive...) Week 3 of shining a spotlight on Hammerson’s Stars! 

This week we talked to Jonathan Davies, Centrale’s Retail Business Manager, who ran the Royal Parks Half Marathon on the 14th October 2018 for Evolve.

 

Evolve work with 2,000 people each year across London, providing shelter, support and advice to over 700 people on a daily basis who would otherwise be homeless. Centrale and Whitgift have a long-standing partnership with Evolve and the charity is their Centre Charity for 2018-2019. 

 

In February of this year, whilst searching for fundraising opportunities for Evolve, Jonathon was asked to consider the half marathon. Despite no previous running experience, Jonathon signed up. Fast forward half a year and with 4 months training under his belt, he was on the course and running his first half marathon!

 

The Royal Parks Half Marathon takes participants through a stunning course in central London; past Buckingham Palace, Downing Street and five Royal Parks. Despite the rain, the atmosphere, cheering crowds and the odd Jellybaby made for an enjoyable experience. 

 

Jonathan finished the 21 km course in an amazing 1 hour 56 minutes, placing 4,732 out of 16,000 runners! This feat is made all the more incredible by the fact that he overcame a knee injury and the furthest he had run before in one go was 8 km!! This isn’t a method that I (nor I suspect Jonathon) would advocate. 

 

From his in-office fundraising targets and Hammerson Charities Committee match funding Jonathan happily smashed his fundraising target to raise an awesome £480 for Evolve. 

 

Congratulations to Jonathan for this amazing feat, we look forward to what running adventures you undertake in the future! 

 

If you, or your colleagues, have been involved in a fundraising or volunteering activity and would like a shout out on the blog please get in touch with Zoe (zoe.long@hammerson.com). 

 

Don’t forget, Hammerson offers up to £250 of match charity funding to boost your charity donation (Hammerson employees only I'm afraid!); please get in touch with the Sustainability Team (sustainability@hammerson.com) to find out more.