A ROLLS-ROYCE worker who smashed his fundraising target for a Derby special school by completing his first-ever marathon has set his sights on raising more funds for them.
Steven Taylor surpassed his initial target of £400 months before taking part in the Chester Marathon; 26-plus miles of winding roads which pass through all of Chester’s iconic landmarks before heading out into the Cheshire and North Wales countryside and returning along the banks of the River Dee.
His final total was an impressive £970 for St Giles School, in Hampshire Road.
Spurred on by this accomplishment, Steven is now planning more events which will raise funds for the city’s only special primary school.
“This was the first time I had ever done a marathon and I really wanted to push myself,” said Steven, who works as a Fleet Maintenance Planner at Rolls-Royce’s Aircraft Availability Centre in Derby.
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“I play football for Rolls-Royce Leisure and we have had several charity matches against a team representing St Giles School, so that is how I came to be aware of the school and the excellent work it does for youngsters with special educational needs.
“I worked with St Giles on fundraising for their Multi Use Games Arena, which was opened by former Derby County footballer Bradley Johnson in the summer, and wanted to do more. The marathon seemed the perfect challenge and completing it – and raising so much money – gave me a real sense of achievement.”
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Steven began training for the marathon just four months ago and finished the course in an impressive 3 hours and 47 minutes.
Working alongside David Martins, a parent whose daughter attends St Giles School, Steven – and his Rolls-Royce Leisure FC team-mate Conor Raynor – is planning a race night and fundraising football match for 2020.
Executive head teacher Clive Lawrence said: “We are very grateful to Steven for raising so much money for St Giles School.
“We have a great army of parents, carers and friends of St Giles who organise such events, for which we’re thankful.”
ENDS
For more details contact Kerry Ganly at Penguin PR by ringing 01332 416228/07734 723951 or emailing [email protected]
