Rob’s marathon effort in tribute to former boss
The manager of a Hampshire crematorium was determined to go the extra mile in the hope of raising as much money as possible in honour of his employer’s former CEO.
Rob Metcalf is manager of Test Valley Crematorium, part of Westerleigh Group, one of the UK’s largest independent owners and operators of crematoria and cemeteries, with 37 sites in England, Scotland, and Wales, all set within beautifully landscaped gardens of remembrance which provide pleasant, peaceful places for people to visit and reflect.
He completed the London Marathon on 23 April in 04:41:22, raising money for Huntington’s Disease Association in the process.
Last year, Westerleigh Group’s Chief Executive Officer, Roger Mclaughlan, stepped down after learning he had inherited the faulty gene that leads to Huntington’s Disease.
That led the group to name Huntington’s Disease Association (HDA) as its corporate charity partner for the whole of 2022, as a way of being able to pay tribute to Roger, who had been CEO for two years.
Rob had originally planned to run the marathon in October 2022 – the third year it had taken place in October as a result to pandemic but was forced to withdraw through injury.
But now he has done it, and Roger himself was there to support Rob when he crossed the finish line.
Rob, who has worked for Westerleigh Group for seven years, is no stranger to running. He usually runs between three and five miles most evenings, and on Sundays regularly runs around 13 miles.
In April 2021 he completed 100 laps of Test Valley Crematorium’s car park – some 16 miles altogether – to raise money for the Captain Tom Foundation, but this was the first time that he took on the gruelling 26-mile marathon around the capital.
Rob said: “Running the London Marathon has always been an ambition of mine so to be chosen to represent HDA at this race was such an honour.
“The chance to not only compete at one the world’s most famous races but to also represent a charity so close to my heart made the day even more special.”
Roger said: “It was an honour and a privilege to watch Rob complete the London Marathon. I was in awe of Rob’s dedication and determination. He is an inspiration to us all.
“The whole Huntington’s Disease community are so appreciative of Rob’s achievement. Thank you Rob. And, indeed, huge thanks to all the Westerleigh colleagues who have done a magnificent job in raising an enormous amount of money, plus increasing awareness of the condition.”
o support Rob and Huntington’s Disease Association, you can still make a donation here: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/robert-metcalf
