A senior colleague who has been hit by “the running bug” is preparing to take on another marathon while raising money for a cancer charity.
Jon Gripton, who works as Assistant to Group CEO Danny Cammiade, raised more than £3000 for charity by completing the London Marathon in his first attempt in April 2024.
He is now in training to undertake his second full marathon in Manchester at the end of April, followed by the 10km Great West Run in Exeter in May.
For the Exeter run, Jon is looking for sponsorship as he raises funds and awareness for the FORCE cancer charity, based in Exeter, which provides support to anyone affected by cancer.
Jon explains: “Running gives me head space and thinking time. You get to see beautiful scenery and nature, or with your head up you see things in towns and cities you never normally notice.
“And this year I’m running to raise funds and awareness for the FORCE cancer charity. More than 400,000 people will be diagnosed with cancer this year, according to Cancer Research UK.
“FORCE supports patients and their families after diagnosis, and they have seen a steep increase in visits and requests for help.”
Jon developed an enthusiasm for distance running in 2023, when he ran 60 miles for Cancer Research UK. In 2022 Jon completed a 28-mile sailing challenge for Bowel Cancer West and ran the 2024 London Marathon to collect funds for Alzheimer’s Research UK.
Jon, who is based in Plymouth, Devon, completed his goal for his dad, who had dementia, surpassing his fundraising goal.
Jon finished the London event in 5hrs and 11 minutes, putting him ahead of famous faces including actor Christopher Eccleston and comedian Romesh Ranganathan.
Jon said: “In training for London I definitely got the running bug. I fondly recall a training run in sub zero temperatures as it snowed in Reykjavik, Iceland, and completing my first ever half marathon in Exeter in the Spring of last year.
“London itself was an incredible weekend with a great atmosphere, including getting yelled at by a group of drag queens who were partying at a pub on the route.
“Since then I’ve run another half marathon in my home city of Wolverhampton and I’ve done close to 50 Saturday ParkRuns.
“If you would like to make a donation, my fundraising link is here: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/br-5xw8e3fs3h58-2025-bishop-fleming-great-west-run”