News FeedWar Veteran takes to the streets for blind charity
Monday, 19th Apr 2010 - 12:33pm
His motto is “If you rest you rust”, so that’s why blind war veteran Eric Cooper is coming out of his two-year running retirement to take part in the Sheffield Half Marathon Fun Run.
The 85-year-old Grandad of two will be brushing down his World War Two army uniform for the 3km race to raise money for the Sheffield Royal Society for the Blind (SRSB) on April 25.
He is one of the 90-person collective who are running on behalf of the charity which aims to find 150 runners to celebrate its 150th birthday this year.
Eric, who joined the Home Guard when he was 16-years-old, has actively taken part in many fundraising events for the charity. As well as running the Fun Run in 2007 and 2008, Eric has taken part in zip wires and abseils.
Eric, who lives in Crookes, said: “As I used to be in the Infantry I like to keep active and I walk everyday. The Fun Run is a good way to keep fit and raise some money for SRSB. I am a registered member and I’m grateful for the help it has given me over the years.”
Eric will be joined by SRSB fundraising manager Sue Coggin and other staff and members from the charity.
Sue said: “We are delighted that Eric is taking part in the fun run for SRSB. He is a true inspiration to us all and a true gentleman.
“Eric has taken part in many extreme charity activities throughout the years showing that anything is possible. If he can do it then I have no excuse!”
Entries for the SIG Insulations Sheffield Half Marathon have now reached capacity. Entries are still being taken for the 3km Fun Run which takes place on the same day at Sheffield International Venues managed facility Don Valley Stadium from 9:30am.
SRSB is one of the 10 chosen charities for this year’s Sheffield Half Marathon. The others are Sheffield Teenage Cancer Trust, Motor Neurone Disease Association South Yorkshire, Macmillan Cancer Support, Myasthenia Gravis Association, RSPCA Sheffield, Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Centre South Yorkshire, Sheffield Wildlife Trust, Marie Curie Cancer Care and Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice.
Please contact Sue Coggin on 0114 272 2757 or email fundraising@srsb.org.uk if you would like to be part of the SRSB team with Eric.
