Alison’s marathon effort

MARATHON woman Alison Vesey shows off her medal and the poster

A CHILDREN’S fun day has received a £778 boost thanks to keen runner Alison Vesey.

The mother-of-two completed the London Marathon in an impressive three hours, 15 minutes and four seconds to raise the money for Oldham Play Action Group (OAPG).

It will be used to support this year’s National Playday event in Werneth Park on August 5 which will include circus performers, inflatables, a climbing wall and crazy golf.

Alison, who works for Middleton-firm Vitafoam, decided run in aid of OPAG after the group faced closure when its £35,000 grant was cut by Oldham Council.

It then received a lifeline when it was commissioned by the new Oldham Children’s Trust to continue its work running children’s activities and supporting groups across the borough.

Alison (47), from Altrincham, was the 195th woman over the line — 18 years after she last run the London Marathon.

She said: “I heard about OPAG and I thought what a lovely cause. I have been over to meet them and they do some really worthwhile work. Last time I ran the marathon it was very hard work and it put me off, I did not want to do another one. But I had some friends who were entering so I thought ‘I am going to have a go’.

“I needed an incentive to to keep me running all the way round and that is why I did it for the children.” Youngsters made a banner to thank Alison for her effort and OPAG co-ordinator Steph Gill said: “We are delighted. Every year we really struggle with National Playday to get enough money to put on a really good event.”