A ‘SUPERSTAR’ personal trainer from Leigh has completed the original Greek Marathon route, smashing his target and raising £3,600 for a local child cancer charity.

Dominic Foster, 29, joined 16,000 people taking part in the ‘Marathon to Athens’ race in Greece last weekend. He smashed his £1,000 fundraising target for Gold Geese, which supports children and young people fighting cancer in the Southend and Basildon areas.

The personal trainer completed the course in 4 hours and 3 minutes, describing the uphill route to Athens as a “slog”.

He said: “It was a really tough course and a hot day.

“Several local businesses had sponsored me and had their logos on my running vest, so I kept glancing down at my vest and thinking I can’t let these people down! That kept me going.

Echo:

“I was looking to do a marathon in a different country as a new experience, and after hearing about the amazing support Gold Geese gave my partner’s colleague, I decided to fundraise for them at the same time.

“Thank you so much to everyone who sponsored me, you’re all legends!”

The money raised will go towards personalised practical and emotional support for families of children and young people fighting cancer.

Katie Southgate founded the charity in 2018, following her own child’s cancer diagnosis. Thankfully, her child is now cancer-free.

She said: “We’re hugely grateful Dominic chose to support Gold Geese and we’re in awe of him not only for completing that tough course but smashing his fundraising target. We rely on community donations to fund our vital work, so superstars like Dominic mean we can be there for every local family affected by childhood cancer.

“Childhood cancer causes a huge upheaval for everyone in the family - emotionally, physically and often financially. Our support is tailored to each family’s needs and ranges from funding for mental health therapy and food shop vouchers to toys, weekend trips away and practical help with travel to and from hospital.”

Gold Geese also raises awareness of childhood cancer signs and symptoms and deliver training workshops to childcare practitioners, parents and healthcare professionals.