In a previous article we featured Swinton teacher Belinda Neild's attempt to enter The Guinness Book of Records at The London Marathon.* Belinda achieved her goal and now holds the brilliantly eccentric world record for the fastest marathon time for a participant dressed as a piece of stationery.
The proud Salfordian registered an incredible time to surpass the previous record... "Running the London Marathon was an amazing experience" she says "To beat and achieve a world record dressed as an item of stationery well, I'm over the moon. I've ran marathons before but had to do something different and more difficult to raise money for my charities."
Running for Histio UK and Ava's Wish, Belinda has raised much needed funds for two great charities. It was well worth the rigorous training schedule for the local art teacher.
"I was feeling the pressure on the build up to the race as I was worried about my costume being too rigid to run in" she recalls "I raised over £3,000 to support and raise awareness of my charities. I achieved the record in 3 hours 54 minutes... wearing my red crayon outfit."
Belinda's impressive effort will help to raise awareness and funds for Histio UK for Layla's Rainbow..."Layla Mae Jamieson was a beautiful happy, healthy and active six year old who loved music and performing" says Belinda "On the 18th December our friends Michelle and Paul Jameson sadly lost their daughter to Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytososis, or HLH."
Tragically, 1.2 per million children are affected each year by this disease. More research into earlier diagnosis could well have saved the lives of Layla and thousands of others. The money raised for Histio UK will help fund the research needed to uncover the causes of HLH, diagnose early and hopefully find a cure.
The money raised for Ava's Wish will help to support Ava who has quadriplegic cerebral palsy. Ava suffers from chronic lung disease as well as chronic bowel condition and faces many challenging conditions; "Unfortunately Ava does not get enough physio from the NHS and is now at a vital age where she needs it. Ava is unable to sit, walk and crawl and if we can aim for even just one of them it would be a massive achievement. Ava has also recently been diagnosed with osteopenia which affects your bones and unfortunately started in Ava's knees."
Belinda is understandably pleased with her stellar effort and the support that it will provide for two important charities..."To achieve the Guinness World Record was amazing as I always watched Record Breakers with my mum when I was a kid and always wanted to be in the GWR book. My dream has come true, I've always been athletic but never thought I would be in the book for running as a piece of stationery! If my mum was alive today she would be laughing her head off, I can just picture it."
Belinda certainly drew sympathy, empathy, acclaim and much needed funds from her crayon feat...
The 'Just Giving' page is still open and accepting donations...click here for details
* See previous Salford Star article for a full background - click here
Words by Ian Leslie
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