FITNESS FANATIC Paul McCabe is putting himself through the greulling London Marathon to help two charities.
The Solihull resident will be lining up alongside thousands of others in April to take on the 26.2-mile challenge in aid of Cancer Research UK and Solihull children’s mental health charity, Ordinary Magic.
Inspired by his four sisters who have survived cancer and his mother and mother-in-law who have died from it Paul wanted to support the work at the cancer charity on his second outing at the marathon – the first being in 2014.
Ordinary Magic offer mental health and wellbeing support to children and families across Solihull and surrounding areas, aiming to reach the children who are ‘unreachable’ for early intervention at school or in a safe place.
The charities are linked closely to Paul as the chief executive at Ordinary Magic, Katie Washbourne, is in remission from cancer following a devastating diagnosis.
Paul said: “Cancer Research UK is an obvious one to choose for me, given my family history.
“My sisters have been through a lot with their treatment and I know without the work of charities like Cancer Research UK they might not have been able to overcome their illnesses.
“My wife’s mother and my own mother weren’t so lucky, as with many other people across the country, and both losses were devastating to our families.
“But treatment is improving all the time and it’s important we keep funding the work Cancer Research UK do, as Katie has shown in her battle with cancer last year. She has recently been told she is in remission which is great news, especially for her and her family but also for Ordinary Magic.
“She is a driving force behind the charity which has made a huge impact in Solihull. The work they do is amazing, I have seen the change they can make first hand.
“So I thought it was important that a small, local organisation benefited from more donations as it’s often difficult when up against the larger charities that get the publicity so much easier.”
Paul is in the middle of a 16 week training schedule at the moment and is also running to become a Silhill Councillor in the upcoming Solihull Council elections.
He said: “With the race happening at the end of April and polling day at the beginning of May, it’s all coming at once.
“But if you see a bald, middle aged man shuffling around Solihull, or even running while delivering campaign leaflets, say hello as a bit of encouragement is always welcome.”
For more or to donate to his London Marathon charities search for Paul McCabe on the TCS London Marathon site here for Cancer Research UK or Go Fund Me site for Ordinary Magic here.
