Former Reigate student's multi-marathon fundraising challenge for animal rescue (From Redhill And Reigate Life)

Former Reigate student's multi-marathon fundraising challenge for animal rescue

3:40pm Monday 10th September 2012 in Local News

A Territorial Army (TA) caretaker and former Reigate student is in training to run a string of marathons, half-marathons and a hill challenge in aid of an animal rescue cause.

Laura Day, 32, who grew up in Woodhatch and attended Reigate School and Reigate College, is steeling herself for her seven-event effort despite having only ever run one full marathon before.

But her experience of running the Brighton Marathon earlier this year has inspired her to step up her running a gear.

She has set her sights on completing three marathons, three half-marathons and a 15-mile challenge in aid of a cause close to her heart.

Laura will be running for the Edenbridge, Kent-based charity, Last Chance Animal Rescue.

Laura, who attends British Military Fitness (BMF) in Reigate, lists her animals as her main hobby, along with BMF.

She said: “I have an elderly cat called Tiny, a rabbit called Pud, a hamster called Henry, and a canary called Chirpy. “I attend BMF six times a week, which is where I built up my fitness, and am able to keep a level which will hopefully help me through my future challenges.”

She said: “I had a rescue black Labrador called Buddy who I had for one day short of ten years, and very sadly had to have him put to sleep at the age of thirteen and a half.

“He was a very special dog and we have been through so much together. He was my best friend.”

Laura said: “He is my inspiration now to work hard, strive for more and push myself to the extreme. “I ran the Brighton Marathon in his memory and will be running all my future events in his memory also.”

Laura, who finished the Brighton Marathon in three hours and 30 minutes, said she had decided to raise money for Last Chance Animal Rescue because she thinks the cause is “brilliant.”

She said she admires the cause for using all its funds on animal care, and for its non-destruction policy.

“Where some rescue centres will have an animal put to sleep if they are full or if the animal has an issue, Last Chance will never have an animal put to sleep on these grounds,” she said.

“They work with the animals with all sorts of problems, both good and bad, and they are just brilliant. “I have been visiting them for years now and I feel they are the most deserving of rescue centres.”

Laura, who now lives in Crawley, will be running her seven events between the end of this month (September) and next April.

The first will be the New Forest Half-Marathon on Sunday, September 23, and the last will be next year's London Marathon on Sunday, April 21, 2013.

Laura said she would also be open to challenges from individuals or companies on the basis that they sponsor her a minimum amount to do whatever they book her into.

Anyone wishing to sponsor Laura in her marathon charity challenge can do so online by visiting: www.charitygiving.co.uk/lauraandbuddy