A FOOTBALL club’s star striker is preparing for a fixture of a different kind this week when he takes on the London Marathon, despite his hatred of running.
Richard Jolly, 28, is a self-confessed ‘goal hanger’, and has a similar reputation among fans of Wealdstone FC, for whom he has banged in 43 goals this season.
But he is hoping to overcome his running phobia for the race and is spurred on by a charity that is very close to his heart after two members of his family died within the space of two weeks last year.
Mr Jolly, from Clarkes Drive, in Hillingdon, lost first his grandfather and then his aunt in May and June 2011.
He said: “When my brother ran the marathon a few years ago I swore I’d never do it because it looked so boring.
“But what happened with my family put a lot of things into perspective and I decided I wanted to raise awareness of the work that hospices do, as they were wonderful for us when we needed them.
“I realised running 26.2 miles was not a lot of pain compared to what has happened and I won a marathon place with Help the Hospices.”
The former Bishop Ramsey School pupil has been running six miles to training for Wealdstone each week and recently ran 20 miles around Hillingdon, Ickenham and Ruislip.
“I hit the wall after four miles,” he admitted. “I just wanted to turn around and come back. I hate running."
Wealdstone FC’s season will be remembered for an FA Trophy semi-final, when the club came within one game of playing at Wembley, but Mr Jolly hopes he can achieve something even greater by raising £2,000 for charity.
To sponsor him, go to www.justgiving.com/Richard-Jolly-Running2012
