Andy's marathon £5,500 success
29.04.10
PENZANCE'S Andy Usher sped around the London Marathon route to raise £5,500 towards beating meningitis.
The 49-year-old, from Germoe, completed the course in three hours and 38 minutes on what he described as a "fantastic day".
He was running for Meningitis UK - a cause close to his heart after a friends' daughter lost both legs to the deadly disease.
Lydia Cross, from Braunton in Devon, fell ill at the age of just two and septicaemia caused so much damage that doctors had to amputate her legs below the knee.
But the plucky youngster, now eight, has gone on to inspire the nation with her fundraising efforts for Help For Heroes.
Andy, who was running his first marathon, said he would love to do the 26.2mile challenge again.
The helicopter pilot said: "It was a brilliant day. The atmosphere is enough to spur you along.
"I would love to do it again and get a faster time. I found it quite frustrating at times because I couldn't go at my normal pace due to the volume of runners but overall it was a fantastic day.
"It's great to have been able to raise so much money for Meningitis UK and it's vaccine research work."
Money raised from his marathon efforts will go towards Meningitis UK's Search 4 a Vaccine Campaign. It aims to raise £7million to fund vital research into developing a vaccine against all forms of meningitis.
Steve Dayman, who founded Meningitis UK after his son Spencer died from the disease, said: "Andy has been phenomenal, both with his running and fundraising. He was the quickest Meningitis Musketeer and we're really thankful to him for all his efforts.
"The money he's raised will go towards vital vaccine research which will save future generations from having to face the devastation of meningitis in the future."
To sponsor Andy in the Virgin London Marathon, please visit www.justgiving.com/AndyUsher
MeningitisUK · Registered Charity No.1076774
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