London Marathon challenge for disadvantaged kids

Bondholders are being urged to back a team of runners who will be taking part in the London Marathon in aid of Enthusiasm Trust, a charity which supports children from disadvantaged and deprived backgrounds.

Damon Freeston, Alex Grogan, Melanie Bridgen and her daughter Georgia Bridgen, will be pounding the pavements around London to raise money for the Cotton Lane-based charity.

The fantastic four will be tackling the 26.2-mile challenge thanks to places provided by Derby-based sports brand HUUB, whose founder, Dean Jackson, is a trustee of the charity.

Enthusiasm Trust reaches out to young people providing clubs, workshops, school holiday activities, homework support and one-to-one mentoring programmes.

It supports children who are primarily drawn from Osmaston, Allenton and Alvaston with smaller numbers from Chellaston, Sinfin and Shelton Lock.

They are usually aged between 11 and 18 years old and are often referred to the centre by schools, police and other agencies if they are deemed to be at risk of exclusion, offending or anti-social behaviour, including the influence of negative peer groups and gangs.

Solicitors Melanie and Georgia Bridgen will be swapping their suits for trainers for the race.

Melanie, a solicitor at Nelsons (BH), said: “We are delighted to be running for the Enthusiasm Trust and hope our small contribution will make a big difference to the centre.

“As a children and family lawyer I also know how important positive intervention in young people’s lives can be and the work of Enthusiasm makes such a difference in the heart of the city.”

Georgia said: “Running for such a good cause is an extra layer of motivation for me.

“I’m grateful to HUUB for the opportunity to run and to my colleagues at Jones Day for their ongoing support.

“It’s a privilege to run London for such a genuine cause that works so hard to break the cycle of deprivation and make a difference to the lives of young people.”

To sponsor the four runners, please visit here.