Bank staff on the run
Staff from NatWest Commercial Bank run the length of the M25 in 24 hours

Staff from NatWest Commercial Bank in Sunbury have run the length of the M25 around Walton Athletics Club in 24 hours, raising more than £13,000 for The Shooting Star Children’s Hospice.

Local celebrity Bobby Davro was on hand to announce the start of the 472-lap challenge, which is equivalent to the 117 miles of the M25. The challenge saw a team of 50 fundraisers each running or walking a set distance to ensure a baton was carried continuously around the course until the 117 miles was complete.
 
Bobby Davro’s father, Bill Nankeville, was a founder-member of Walton Athletics Club and ran in both the 1948 London Olympic Games and the 1952 Helsinki Olympic Games. ‘When I heard staff at NatWest were running the length of the M25, I thought they better get up early to avoid the traffic,’ said Bobby. ‘Seriously though, my father was connected to Walton Athletics Club so it’s nice to come back to start this event on behalf of Shooting Star. These people are doing a great thing today but I can’t say I’m envious of those running in the middle of the night. I might give them a quick thought as I turn over and go back to sleep!’
 
NatWest's Richard Truett, who organised the event and ran six of the miles between 1.00 am and 3.00 am, said completing the challenge was a great achievement. 'We had a whole range of people playing their part, from 11 year-olds right through to those in their 50s. There were quite a few nerves before the start but we just had to do it. Everyone has pulled together for Shooting
Star because what they do is inspirational. Many of our staff either have children or relatives with children and we appreciate how precious they are to us. Knowing there are some families in unimaginable circumstances makes Shooting Star an easy choice for us. We have raised more than £13,000 so far and I hope the hospice find it useful.'
 
Jack Rutherford, Chairman of Walton Athletics Club, allowed the team to use the track free of charge. ‘It sounded like a lot of fun and I was more than happy to help out. Doing it here is a lot easier than running around the M25, and far less dangerous too!’

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