Swindon Town

SWINDON Town's Head of Commercial, Keelan McNally will be running the Virgin Money London Marathon on Saturday 26th April and is raising money for Leukaemia Care.

Keelan will be running the marathon with a very good friend Ben Ascott, whose Dad (a great friend and neighbour of Keelan's) lost his battle with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia last year. They are taking on the challenge in aid of Leukaemia CARE, a Worcester-based national charity which supported Ben and his family during his dad’s illness.

Between them they have clocked up more than 700 miles as part of their marathon training and have collectively raised £4,000 to date. They are hoping to exceed this figure by raising at least £6,000.

Keelan is currently auctioning off some sporting memorabilia items on Facebook and Twitter (@keelan1607) with all proceeds going towards his marathon pledge. Memorabilia generously donated includes:

•    Massimo Luongo’s Signed and Worn Australia Shirt from their 4-0 win against Oman in the Asian Cup
•    Signed pair of Louis Thompson’s Boots
•    14/15 Signed Swindon Town Shirt
•    14/15 Signed Arsenal Shirt with Certificate of Authenticity
•    Kyle Lafferty’s Signed and Worn Northern Ireland Shirt from their recent Euro Qualifier vs Finland in which he scored twice
•    14/15 Signed Norwich City Shirt
•    14/15 Signed Derby County Shirt
•    14/15 Signed Bolton Wanderer’s Shirt
•    14/15 Signed Brighton & Hove Albion Shirt
•    14/15 Signed Ipswich Shirt with Certificate of Authenticity
•    14/15 Signed Leyton Orient Shirt
•    14/15 Signed Luton Town Shirt
•    14/15 Signed Crawley Town Shirt

Please email Keelan on Keelan@swindontownfc.co.uk or contact him via Twitter or Facebook to make a bid. The auction will close on Monday 27th April after Keelan has completed the marathon.

Ben, who owns a local takeaway in Lickey called “Ben’s” has been generously supported by customers to help him reach his fundraising goal.

Ben said: “My family were supported by Leukaemia CARE during the most difficult and emotional time of our lives. I wanted to run for this charity to say thank you and to help other families who are affected by blood cancers.”

Keelan said: “Running with Ben is a privilege and I’m proud to be running for a charity which supported both him and his family during such a difficult time. We’re both looking forward to Race Day but will be glad to see that finish line!”

If you’d like to support Ben and Keelan and help a great cause please visit: www.virginmoneygiving.com/KeelanMcNally .

Leukaemia CARE is a blood cancer charity, providing emotional support to patients and families affected by blood cancer. They provide a unique free, 24-hour telephone CARE Line, enabling patients and their families to discuss their feelings, concerns and emotions at such a difficult period of time.

Other support services include:
•    Support groups
•    Patient and carer conferences
•    One-to-one phone buddy support
•    Cancer campaigning and patient advocacy
•    Information and booklets

For more information visit the website www.leukaemiacare.org.uk, like the Facebook page www.facebook.com/LeukaemiaCARE or follow Leukaemia CARE on Twitter www.twitter.com/leukaemiacareuk

Leukaemia CARE is registered as a charity in England and Wales (no.259483) and Scotland (no. SCO39207).