David set to take on marathon challenge for charity

Erasmus Academy assistant principal David Shipman will hit the roads as he runs 26.2 miles to raise funds for mental health charity Mencap.

The 38-year-old from Coventry said it was set to be the final part of fundraising by pupils at the Burntwood-based academy to help the charity, which supports people with a learning disability as well as their families and carers.

He said: “There were a number of Year 12 students who did a lot of fundraising before the pandemic and had raised almost £500, doing different things like a chocolate tombola and a make-up store.

“There were lots of little events going on in the autumn from last year and this was meant to be the final event, so I decided to go ahead with it.”

He was meant to do the London Marathon this year, but after the event was first postponed, then changed to just elite performers, he decided to do the run through the towns near the school.

Stigma

His route on Sunday will take him from Pye Green through Hednesford, Cannock, Norton Canes and Walsall, before he finishes near to Alexander Stadium in Perry Barr.

Mr Shipman will also be one of 312 Mencap runners doing the marathon and said it was the first time he’d ever done one, having only previously gone as far as a 10k. He said he would be aiming to complete the marathon without stopping and said it would be worth it to help Mencap.

He added: “There’s so much stigma around people with a learning disability and I think it’s very important to break down the barriers they face.

“It’s worth doing this to make sure we, as a society, can work together and help tackle stigma and help people with a learning disability live happy and healthy lives and be part of society. I take the lead on equality in school and this is another way to raise awareness for my students.”

To find out more about the run and to donate, go to uk.virginmoneygiving.com/DavidShipman1