A local MP put on his running shoes as he took on the 26-mile London Marathon challenge for charity.
On Sunday, James Wild, the MP for North West Norfolk, completed the 2024 event and raised £3,700 for the West Norfolk Autism Group, which supports autistic children and adults.
Having said he would not run the London Marathon again, Mr Wild finished the course in three hours, 42 minutes and 39 seconds, and was one of 50,000 finishers in the world-famous race.
West Norfolk Autism Group was established in April 2022 and offers support to individuals of all ages whose lives are affected by autism.
The charity is run entirely by volunteers or family members with experience of autism and supports autistic people, their families, and carers and provides activities including swimming, soft play, skating, trampolining, gymnastics, and cinema.
Volunteers also organise training for anyone, including professionals, who would benefit from understanding more about autism.
Karan McKerrow, chair of the trustees of West Norfolk Autism Group, said: “We are absolutely delighted that James chose us to run the London Marathon for.
“The amount of money raised is just fantastic and will pay for so many much-needed activities.
“We’re hugely grateful to the massive effort James has put in and to every single person who has donated to this event.
“James knows how hard we work to raise money and his kindness will make many autistic people and their families here in West Norfolk very happy indeed. Thank you from all of us here”.
Mr Wild said: “The London Marathon has helped raise so much money for good causes and I’m very grateful to everyone who sponsored my run for the West Norfolk Autism Group.
“Running a marathon is tough but helping to make a difference to a great local charity definitely spurred me on.
“Never say never but I think this will be my last run of 26.2 miles.”
Mr Wild has completed the London Marathon on four previous occasions - twice before as MP for North West Norfolk when he raised more than £10,000 for charities such as the Pandora Project, West Norfolk Befriending, West Norfolk Deaf Association, Little Discoverers, the Purfleet Trust, and West Norfolk Carers.
Donations to West Norfolk Autism Group can still be made here: www.justgiving.com/page/jameswildmpmarathon
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