Robert overcomes injury toline up for big marathon

Mechanical engineer Robert Corry, 52, said: ‘This year I might be power-walking rather than running, but I’ll do my best.

‘My daughter and son will be supporting me at the end keeping me going.’

Robert has raised thousands of pounds for Cafod in the past.

This year’s Lent appeal will help communities across the world have access to clean water and give them the training so they can maintain new wells and taps for themselves.

Robert has already raised more than £2,000 this year.

As an added bonus the UK government’s Department for International Development (DfID), has matched donations for the appeal up to the value of £3.5m.

Robert’s marathon training has not been easy. He said: ‘It can be difficult to get out of bed early in the morning to fit in the next training session or to complete a 20-mile training run.

‘But then I think about the people Cafod supports and I ask myself how would I cope if my house was destroyed or if I lost my family in a war?

‘I imagine my children walking for hours to fetch water for the very basics of cooking and washing and then missing school because they are too exhausted or scared to be late; or having to scavenge on tips just to earn enough to pay for enough food for that day.

‘We should help however and whoever we can, and thinking about our global neighbours is what keeps me going to the end.’

He added: ‘I pulled a muscle a few weeks ago so had a little bit of a training setback, but it’s getting better so fingers crossed.

‘My fundraising has been doing brilliantly so far, so a massive thank-you to friends, family and members of my parish who have donated and supported me so far.”

To sponsor Robert, go to https://www.justgiving.com/Robert-Corry-CAFOD/