Manchester Man Nears Finish Line of Magnificent 7 Great Runs

Counsell, Corporate Sales Director at Incom Business Systems, is the winner of Vodafone’s JustTextGiving Fittest Fundraiser competition. He was handpicked after demonstrating his commitment to fundraising with his pledge to take on 8 Nova Great Runs throughout the country during 2013. When the Manchester resident crosses the finish line of the Great South Run, in Portsmouth later this month, he will have covered 98km to raise money for Cancer Research.

The charity is close to his heart after three members of his close family were diagnosed with cancer within the past few years. His father was diagnosed with prostate cancer and his nephew with brain cancer. More recently, his sister-in-law lost her life after a brave battle with breast and liver cancer. The Fittest Fundraiser Challenge was Counsell’s way to show support for the people that are most important to him.

He said: “There isn’t a magic wand to take the pain or illness away from my family and over the last couple of years we’ve all been through some very tough times.
“But I really hope that by taking part in these runs, and raising money through JustTextGiving, that much-needed funding for Cancer Research UK will help to pave the way for potential cures so that people affected by cancer don’t have to experience the loss that we have.”

Grant has already completed 6 Great Runs, including the Nova Great Manchester Run and the Nova Great North Run. So far, he has raised in excess of £2,000.
Incom Business Systems’ managing directors David Hughes and Jason Kilvert have shown their support for Grant by joining him on a number of the runs, including the Great North Run last month. The event was Counsell’s first ever half marathon and when he takes on his second this weekend, in Birmingham, he hopes to shave an ambitious 15 minutes off his previous finishing time.

More than 20,000 people will take part in the Great Birmingham Run. The city centre course takes in all of Birmingham’s most iconic landmarks. Along the way, live music from ‘bands on the run’ will keep runners motivated and giving their best.

The final race in Grant’s 2013 challenge is the Nova Great South Run, on Sunday 27 October, where he will bring his ultimate fundraising challenge to a close. Once again, Grant will be joined by Incom’s MDs and the trio will form part of a 25,000 strong crowd in Portsmouth taking part in the world’s premier 10 mile running event. This will be his second time around the course, as Grant explains: “A group of us from Incom did the Great South Run three years ago when I was a Great Run novice. Those who know me will agree that I am not naturally built for speed! However, I have steadily improved since then and I hope to complete the run in under two hours and finish my challenge on a high.

“The support of my bosses has been invaluable throughout the year and I’m sure they will be happy to help me celebrate when I cross that final finish line!”
Use JustTextGiving to support Grant and donate money to Cancer Research. All you have to do is text RUGC80 and your chosen amount to 70070 (for example RUGC80 £20).

Vodafone JustTextGiving launched in May 2011 and has already been adopted by 90,000 fundraisers and more than 18,000 charities. The service helps to increase fundraising activity in the UK. Fundraisers and charities can use text donations for their cause at no cost to themselves or the donor; instead 100% of the money involved goes to the chosen charity.

Follow Grant’s sensational progress at http://www.justgiving.com/GrantC.     

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Ayshea Domun

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Incom Business Systems ltd

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