Pall-Ex Group are proud to announce that a team of seven runners from across the network will be running the TCS London Marathon 2025 to raise money for SSAFA, the UK’s oldest tri-service military charity.
The team will be made up of members of the Pall-Ex Group board, including UK Managing Director, Barry Byers, Group Finance Director, Paul Robins and Commercial Director, Michelle Naylor alongside Head of Hub Operations, Stuart White and Hub Manager, John Bisland. Pall-Ex Group’s members will be represented by Frank Gee, Managing Director of Millbray Group and Tim Clements, Managing Director of Team C Express Logistics.
SSAFA has been supporting the Armed Forces community worldwide for over 130 years, providing physical and emotional care for service personnel, veterans and their families. Over £260,000 is raised in total every year by runners representing SSAFA in the London Marathon.
Pall-Ex Group kickstarted its partnership with SSAFA at the Pall-Ex Group Annual Awards evening in February with a £10,000 donation, and the marathon is another fantastic opportunity for Pall-Ex Group to further cement its commitment to SSAFA and the Armed Forces community.
Barry Byers, UK Managing Director, has spearheaded the plans for the marathon, and comments: “The London Marathon really is a bucket list experience for me personally. It’s a fantastic opportunity to raise money for SSAFA and the ex-military personnel that have put their lives at risk to keep our country safe, whilst getting fitter and healthier. It is also an opportunity to lead the team effort as the first-ever London Marathon for Pall-Ex Group.”
With the majority of the group having run a marathon before, although for some it was several years ago, preparations are well underway to improve overall fitness and get themselves ready for the 26.2 miles in April next year.
Paul Robins, Financial Director, comments on his training so far: “I can hardly run to the end of the road without catching my breath! Training is well underway with the strategy being slow and steady to eventually build up mileage.”
Currently, training plans mainly involve strength training and weight loss in preparation for serious running to begin closer to the time. Stuart White, Head of Hub Operations, comments: “I play football and run a few times a week currently so I’m in decent shape, I just need to start training for the long distance runs now.”
John Bisland, Hub Manager, is no stranger to distance running, having completed multiple marathons across the world whilst in the Army and various across the UK as a hobby. Frank Gee, Managing Director of Millbray Group, is also an avid runner, with the London Marathon 2025 being his fourth marathon.
Tim Clements from Team C Express Logistics has high hopes for this marathon, commenting: “I have done two London marathons before. One was 15 years ago, the other six years ago. I got injured during training for both so I’m hoping to enjoy this one a lot more than the previous two.”
When asked for their personal goals in the upcoming marathon, answers were wide ranged, from Frank Gee aiming for a sub-three-hour finish to others who are focused on the sense of achievement they will feel at the end. Michelle Naylor comments on her goals for the day: “My main goal is to just get a medal and have the feeling of achievement from pushing myself out of my comfort zone.”
Barry Byers comments: “The main thing for me is the camaraderie between the team and getting the networks support so we can achieve something that I hope will become an annual event. It’s a fantastic chance for our network to come together and for SSAFA, the beneficiary of our combined efforts.”
With each runner aiming to raise a minimum of £2500, there will be plenty of activity throughout the business in the build-up to the marathon, with everyone across the network getting involved to hit the fundraising target. Some plans the runners have to fundraise include organising local events such as cake sales and quizzes, using social media to raise the profile of their efforts and reaching out to members across the network.
The Pall-Ex Group Charitable Foundation will be further supporting the London Marathon team, committing a £10,000 donation to SSAFA on top of the money raised, to go towards providing life-changing support and services to veterans and their families.
To donate to a member of the team, please visit: https://www.pallex.co.uk/london-marathon
Find out more about SSAFA and the services they provide here