A FATHER and son from Stratford face a gruelling 18 months ahead – but they know it will be worth it.
Craig Millard and his 14 year-old son, Will will be pulling on their running shoes as they clock up the miles to raise money for Breast Cancer Now.
Craig, who works as a finance director, is planning to run three marathons over the next year and a half.
The 42-year-old has secured a place in the Dublin marathon in October and is hoping he will be awarded places in the 2017 London and New York marathons.
And Stratford School pupil, Will is taking on five 10k runs in Cheltenham, Stratford, Bath, Manchester and Kenilworth.
Craig’s wife Julia and their younger son Daniel will also be there to support the pair every step of the way.
Craig told The Observer: “Taking on three marathons will certainly be a challenge – I’m not a runner and never have been! People keep saying I must be mad to do it.
“I like to swim and play football so I’m not unfit but this is a different kind of fitness and training.”
“I didn’t enter this lightly and found a proper training programme online from Bupa which has been great and I’m really enjoying the training at the moment. I’m going to run the five 10k’s with Will to support him and they’re also good training for me in between marathons.
“Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers and as a family we have always tried to support cancer charities, so Breast Cancer Now was an obvious choice.”
The pair are hoping businesses in Warwickshire will also support them by sponsoring events they are planning to boost fund-raising or even providing running tops for them to wear.
Their initial target was to raise £2,500 but Craig hopes they could double the target.
Visit www.justgiving.com/craig-millard2 to sponsor Craig and Will. .
The vote on Britain’s membership of the European Union takes place on June 23 and Ben Wesson has been visiting youth centres and attending student debates to stress to encourage over 18s to get on the electoral register in order to have their say on whether Britain stays or leaves.
Ben, who is Vice President of the Warwickshire Association of Youth Clubs, said: “It is clear to me that young people could hold the balance over whether Britain stays in the European Union or breaks away for good.
“The referendum will have a profound impact on young people so it’s vital their voices are heard in the debate, and they ensure they are on the electoral register so they can get out and vote on June 23.”
“You won’t be able to have a say if you aren’t registered to vote, so if you’re not already on the electoral roll you need to register by Tuesday June 7. You can do so, online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote.”
Ben hit out at the Government’s decision not to allow 16 and 17-year-olds a vote in the referendum.
He told The Observer: “I was extremely disappointed that the Government denied 16 and 17-year-olds a vote in this referendum. We saw 16 and 17-year-olds turning out in their thousands when they were enfranchised in the Scottish referendum last year.
“I’ve met young people at several local youth facilities, most recently Lillington Youth Centre and the 16 and 17-year-olds I spoke with were passionate, mature and wanted to take part in a discussion about the future of their country. We should be encouraging young people to make their voices heard, not silencing them.
“This referendum really matters, and it’s young people that will have to deal with the aftermath of the decision on June 23. The repercussions of this momentous vote will be felt for many years. I’m urging young people to register to vote so that they don’t lose this important chance to have their say.”
Visit www.stratford.gov.uk for details of how to vote in Stratford district.
