A team of 14 dedicated Brummies have raised £66,500 to help fund life-saving awareness programmes and support for people affected by meningitis in Birmingham, after running the Virgin Money London Marathon.
Led by Becky Doyle, who set up Liam’s Smiles after her son contracted meningitis at seven weeks old, the team also includes Birmingham City Football Club manager, Gary Rowett; Reserve Team Manager,Richard Beale; CEO of Birmingham City Ladies, Tim Andrews; and Commercial Director, Ian Dutton. BCFC has been a keen supporter of Liam’s Smiles following Colin Doyle, Becky’s husband and Dad to Liam, playing for the first team from 2003-2015. BCFC’s End of Season dinner, held last night, added to the team’s fundraising efforts. Joining Becky and the BCFC runners at the Virgin Money London Marathon was Alan Sarjant (Prologis), Gary Poulton (star of BBC’s The Apprentice), PJ Ellis (Rice Media), Paul Rivers (RE: SYSTEMS), Matt Holden-Jones (H-J Wealth Planning), Chris O’Brien (Crimson), Andy Whelan (West Midlands Police), Ricky Friend (Deloitte), and ex-Serviceman Si Smith. The 14-strong team of runners secured places through Meningitis Now, the charity that Liam’s Smiles supports. Following the Birmingham City Football Club End of Season Awards, and in partnership with EZE Group and local charity LoveBrum, the runners have raised a total of £66,500.
“Liam’s Smiles was born in October 2014 to raise vital funds for Meningitis Now who have helped us so much. The London Marathon really took running to the next level but I was so happy to have such a great team of people running with me, who are just as dedicated to making a difference as I am,” said Becky Doyle.
Tim Andrews, a well-known local businessman and corporate fundraiser, is Chairman and Trustee of LoveBrum and was recently announced as the new CEO of Birmingham City Ladies. He added:
“The Virgin Money London Marathon was a really fantastic opportunity for us to support Becky and raise money that will come right back to Birmingham. This will help around 8,000 people through awareness talks, online and telephone support, counselling, creative therapies and home adaptations. In my capacity as Chairman and Trustee of LoveBrum, I am keen to support anything that directly improves our city. I hope that the people of Birmingham show their support for a great cause, and praise Becky for all of her hard work with Liam’s Smiles.”
To support the work of Liam’s Smiles, you can donate by texting ‘LSLM90 £5’ to 70070.