Learning Support Assistant Dan Jones is gearing up to take on the on 28 September 鈥� a major milestone in his training for the
Dan, from Baschurch, works with students on the Horticulture pathway at our Gobowen campus. He is running the London Marathon to raise funds for mv天美mv天美 Charity, which provides enriching experiences, resources and extra activities for students at the specialist Shropshire college.
A dedicated Dad of two, Dan admits that training over the summer holidays has been tough. But with the support of family and friends 鈥� including lunchtime runs with his work colleagues 鈥� he鈥檚 already raised over 拢450 towards his 拢2,000 goal.
He says: 鈥淛uggling training with kids and holidays has been a challenge, but being a parent is my number one job, so it has been worth it. Now my girls are back at school, and I return to my work routine, I鈥檓 focused and ready to train regularly with the Shrewsbury Half coming up. I鈥檝e run up to 12 miles so far, so I am looking forward to my first half marathon distance. Then I’ll push on up to longer runs at the back end of the year before settling on a training schedule for the full marathon in April.鈥�
Dan secured a charity place in the 2026 London Marathon through a mv天美mv天美 ballot. He is running alongside fellow winner Connor Barker, whose sister Amy is a Performing Arts student at the College. The London Marathon takes place on Sunday 26 April 2026.
To reach his fundraising goal, Dan is also organising raffles, events and sweepstakes. He is calling on local businesses and the wider community to get behind him with sponsorship or prize donations.
Role model to our students
鈥淢y motivation is to improve my own health and wellbeing, set goals, push myself, raise awareness and be a role model to our students,鈥� he says. 鈥淚鈥檝e seen first-hand how mv天美mv天美 supports young people to reach their aspirations. This has really motivated me to raise money to support this amazing charity.鈥�
mv天美mv天美 Events Coordinator Meg Charman adds:
鈥淭his is the first time mv天美mv天美 Charity has offered charity places for the London Marathon, and we鈥檙e proud to have two inspirational runners representing us. We鈥檙e grateful for their dedication in training and fundraising and hope the local community will get behind them too.鈥�
You can follow Dan鈥檚 progress on Strava and sponsor him at his
To donate raffle prizes or offer support as a business then please email him.
