A GLASGOW-based businessman has been so inspired by running his first-ever Marathon, he’s now roped all his work colleagues into taking on a similar challenge next year.
Jamie McDonald, who works for Thames Water Commercial Services, was delighted to survive the New York Marathon this month, clocking an impressive time of four hours seventeen minutes and raising £1,100 for Alzheimer Scotland.
Now, after talking about it endlessly following his return to the office, he has inspired his manager and two other colleagues to join him at the Edinburgh Marathon next year, where they plan to run as a relay team.
The Thames Water Commercial Services sales team, who provide water and wastewater services to businesses throughout Scotland, are planning to raise money for WaterAid, a very apt cause who’s aim is to transform the lives of the poorest and most marginalised people by improving access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene.
Jamie, 33, from Crookston, Glasgow, who works as a business development manager for the firm, said: “I’ve always loved New York so running my first Marathon over there was fantastic and despite a nagging injury, the energy of the New York crowd got me through it in a respectable time.
“When I got back I may have banged on about it a bit much in the office, so inevitably it came round to me setting them all a challenge – but I didn’t actually expect them to agree to it.”
Jamie will be running the relay event with his colleagues Alan Munro, Kevin Durnian and Garry Temple.
Alan, who heads up Thames Water Commercial Services in Scotland, said: “We were all amazed when Jamie announced his plans to run the New York Marathon and his commitment to training and the cause has been impressive.
“When he got back to work you could see how much he’d got out of it, not just raising the money for the charity that he cares so much about, but also overcoming the marathon itself. He was pretty much buzzing and his enthusiasm was infectious.
“At Thames Water Commercial Services, we share WaterAid’s vision that everyone, everywhere should have access to safe water and sanitation. That is why we would like to do something for the charity on a more personal basis, therefore, the marathon relay seems to make sense.
“I’m sure it will be a breeze for Jamie, but the rest of us are going to need to get a lot of training in before May as it has been a while since we’ve done any sort of distance running. We’re looking forward to it though and I’m confident we can raise a decent amount of money for WaterAid.”
Since its launch in 2013, TWCS has attracted a large number of leading Scottish businesses from a wide variety of sectors including finance, leisure, commercial and retail sectors. All have enjoyed average savings of between 10-20 per cent on their annual water spend through switching with many also reducing consumption significantly through tapping into the expertise within Thames to improve water efficiency
Since 2008, when the retail market was opened to competition in Scotland, around 130,000 non-household customers have been able to choose who can supply their water and wastewater services. England will see a similar competitive water retail market opening in 2017.
ENDS
Issued on behalf of Thames Water Commercial Services by Holyrood Partnership.
For more information contact Brian Lewis on 0131 561 2244 or info@holyroodpr.co.uk.
Notes to editors:
Companies signing up to TWCS can benefit from a dedicated account manager flexible billing, advice on tariff optimisation, a tailored approach to key account management, advice on managing water efficiently, and a commitment to helping meet sustainability and environmental targets and commitments.
The firm is part of the Thames Water Group, the UK’s biggest provider of water and wastewater services, serving 15 million customers in London and the Thames Valley, and with a heritage dating back 400 years.
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