To raise over £100k for the Railway Children charity, Porterbrook CEO Mary Grant lined up alongside 50,000 runners on Sunday to complete the iconic New York Marathon.
As a proud ambassador for Rail Aid, which supports Railway Children, Mary took on the fundraising challenge for the charity so that it can protect even more vulnerable children from the dangers they face on the streets.
At the finish line in Central Park, Mary said: “It’s been a long and gruelling build up over the last six months, however the 04.30 training starts and the strain on my body pales into insignificance when thinking of children with nowhere to go and nobody to turn to.
“It was a privilege to finally join thousands of runners at the Staten Island start line yesterday. There were some very heavy legs and hard yards in the final third heading through The Bronx, but the New Yorkers were out in force in the Autumn sunshine cheering everyone through to Central Park.”
Rob Capener, Group CEO of Railway Children, said: “The work of Rail Aid couldn’t be more important, or more urgent. We applaud Mary’s commitment to this amazing accomplishment and know that the money she raises will make a huge difference to children who are vulnerable and alone on streets and rail networks across India, Tanzania and the UK. “
Mary set herself the ambitious target of raising £100k and has been incredibly grateful for the support she has received: “I’ve been a part of the railway family for over 25 years and we always come together to help each other. The Railway Children Fundraising Site is now open, and I’m delighted to already see the significant corporate sponsorship building up from our partners and stakeholders.
“With huge thanks to their overwhelming generosity we look set to meet, and potentially exceed, the goal I set. Every penny raised will help to make a difference to the charity, and I welcome any further donations to this important cause.”
Mary and the Railway Children charity would like to thank those companies who have supported, of which the full list of donors can be viewed here.
