DATE: February 2016
TEACHER RUNS IN AID OF CHILDHOOD CANCER RESEACH
43 year old Dave McGill is gearing up to be on the start line of the Reading Half Marathon on 3rd April to raise
funds for a childhood cancer research charity close to his heart. The Abingdon School teacher and Father of
two has already raised over £300 for Blue Skye Thinking- a charity set up by a family friends, Sally and Andrew
Hall.
Sally and Andrew Hall set up the charity in memory of their son, Skye, from Abingdon who died in 2014 from
side effects of his treatment for medulloblastoma, an aggressive and cancerous brain tumour.
Dave comments “I have been friends with Andrew through working at Abingdon School for many years. We
lived in the same street as them when Skye was little and my daughter is just a little bit older-they would have
been in the same school year so we often would see the family about town or at swimming. What happened
to Skye was terrible and I went to the funeral and thought how it could have been either one of my daughters
and that so little was known about those types of brain disease.”
Blue Skye Thinking has been chosen as one of this year’s partner charities for the race. In 2014 and 2015 the
Reading Half Marathon saw more runners crossing the finish line in under 70 and 80 minutes than any other
UK road Half Marathon and in 2015, 18 of the 50 fastest times run by UK male athletes were run at the
Reading Half Marathon.
Sally Hall, founder of Blue Skye Thinking and Mother to Skye said: “We are so excited to have been chosen
this year. As a small charity this is a wonderful result of my husband’s hard work in relentlessly applying for
the honour and to be up there alongside some of the past big charity names is great recognition for our work
in childhood cancer research.”
To support Dave with a donation go to: https://www.justgiving.com/David-McGill1 or for more event
information visit: www.readinghalfmarathon.com
~ENDS~
PRESS ENQUIRIES
Sophie Nelson
Promote PR
01628 507661
[email protected]
Editor’s notes:
Vitality Reading Half Marathon, 22 March 2015:
In 2015, 68 athletes completed the race in under 71 minutes.
Male 2015 winner: Amos Kiplagat
Female 2015 winner: Lily Partridge
About Blue Skye Thinking:
Blue Skye Thinking was set up in July 2014 by Sally and Andrew Hall from Abingdon, in response to their fouryear-old son Skye being diagnosed with medulloblastoma, an aggressive and cancerous brain tumour. Its aim
is to raise money to fund the world's best researchers, so that all children diagnosed with brain tumours will
have a better chance of survival and a better quality of life post-treatment. Currently, less than 1% of cancer
funding goes towards research into brain tumours which is the No.1 cancer killer in children. More than 350
children a year in the UK are diagnosed with a tumour in their brain and spinal cord.
www.blueskyethinking.com
Race organiser, Sweatshop:
The UK’s largest specialist running retailer with shops nationwide. Sweatshop was founded by Olympic
Champion Chris Brasher in 1971, with the aim to give every runner, from absolute beginner to international
athlete, access to the very best equipment, supported by free gait analysis, sports bra fitting service and much
more. Sweatshop’s first responsibility is to the runner and their mission is to help you Be The Best You Can
Be. Sweatshop has been voted the ‘Best Retailer’ by readers of Runner’s World for eight years in succession
including 2014. On top of this the store has been recognised in the 2014 Running Awards as the Best eTailer
and Best Large Retailer.
Sweatshop staff are committed to providing outstanding customer service and to support this Sweatshop
provides an extensive professional development training programme for all their staff including biomechanics,
customer service, breast health and sports bra fitting.`
For more information visit www.sweatshop.co.uk
Sweatshop staff are committed to providing outstanding customer service and to support this Sweatshop
provides an extensive professional development training programme for all their staff including biomechanics,
customer service, breast health and sports bra fitting. The Sweatshop Running Community is free to join and
the free weekly runs open to all ages and abilities see people rewarded for running regularly.
www.sweatshop.co.uk
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