Tiles Sales Manager Dons a Penguin Costume for Charity Run
Ceramique Internationale team member rejoins ‘Team Penguin’
A Specification Sales Manager from tiles specialist Ceramique Internationale rejoined his waddle of penguin pals to run a half marathon and raise another £1,100 for charity.
David Longbottom, and a group of friends known as Team Penguin, have raised more than £50,000 for Yorkshire Cancer Research over the past 20 years by completing the Great North Run – dressed as penguins.
Having called it a day in 2019, the group decided to come out of retirement in response to the negative impact the Covid-19 lockdowns have had on charities. In the searing heat of July 11th, they all donned their feathers, beaks and flippers one more time to take part in the Ilkley Half Marathon near their homes in West Yorkshire.
The money raised by their 13.1 mile waddle will benefit both Yorkshire Cancer Research and the Dogs Trust, in memory of their good friend Neil Jagger, who died suddenly in April this year.
David Longbottom, said: “It was a warm day for full fancy dress but the route was beautiful and the crowd were amazing.
“We’re happy to have done our bit to support vital cancer research and to honour the memory of Neil by supporting his family’s chosen charity.”
The Team Penguin members who completed the Ilkley Half Marathon were John Bretherick, James Lodge, Mat Kettlewell, Oliver Anderson and Tom Haynes, John Vinnicombe, Pete Brown, Ben Brosnan, Oliver Sharp and Matthew McInerney, while far-flung Penguin Richard Logan completed the distance from his home in Australia and Alex Broadley ran the distance in Warwickshire.
Anybody wishing to support the ‘Team Penguin Waddle Again’ charities can donate to Yorkshire Cancer Research at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/TeamPenguinWaddleAgain and the Dogs Trust, which has a rehoming centre in Leeds, at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/TeamPenguinWaddleAgainDogsTrust