Bondholders help Zorran run up a stellar fundraising total

A Rolls-Royce employee has raised thousands of pounds for a memory making charity after completing his first ever marathon.

Zorran Carnell, of Derby, had been trying to be chosen in the ballot for the London Marathon for 14 years before finally being given a slot this year.

A long-time supporter of the me&dee charity, which helps families facing short and uncertain futures make memories together, Zorran managed to raise over £10,000 in sponsorship from many Derby organisations, including Marketing Derby Bondholders, as well as family and friends.

He recently held a special celebration event at OMOMO Korean Street Food + Bubble Tea in Derby where he thanked supporters and handed over a cheque for £10,606.64 to me&dee founder Maria Hanson MBE.

He was helped present the money by the charity’s junior ambassador Taylor Lewis, a 10-year-old quadruple amputee, whose family has been supported by the charity for many years.

Zorran said: “I’m not really a runner – I’ve only really done a 10k before – but I’ve been putting my name in the London Marathon ballot for 14 years! I was lucky to get a spot. Not many people get in.

“I’m very proud because of how far the money I’ve raised will go. It’s a local charity. I have seen all the people it helps. Because it’s local you can see exactly where the money goes.”

Representatives from the many organisations who supported Zorran’s marathon were at OMOMO to help celebrate his achievement.

They included Essential Print Services, Sky Recruitment Solutions, Wathall’s and Ward Recycling.

Maria Hanson MBE, founder of me&dee, along with partner and charity head of operations Mark Harrison, travelled to London specially to wave Zorran off on his marathon.

She said: “I’m just over the moon that we can keep supporting the many, many families who are coming to us now.

“We now have opportunities to do more with these families thanks to the money Zorran has raised. Thank you so much to him.”