The 2024-25 season is done and dusted and we thank Devizes for securing our place in Kent 1. Our thoughts now turn towards the summer break and our holidays to Florida, Spain or the Greek islands. However, please spare a thought for those of us who are pounding the streets in preparation for this year’s London Marathon. As far as I’m aware, Charlton Park have two participants in this year’s event. Michael Casizzi and Iwan Haines - If there are others, I apologise for your omission from this article.

Michael Casizzi is running to raise much needed funds for the Greenwich and Bexley Community Hospice in the memory of his much loved wife, Victoria. Michael wrote ‘Victoria passed away in April after a battle with cancer. The Hospice were amazing and gave her a much needed lease of life and made it possible to see more of her family. We entered the ballot for the marathon at least 10 times hoping to run it together and Never got a place. This time around I'll be running with her in my heart for company on the 1 year anniversary of her really sad passing’

Iwan is running to raise funds for Alzheimer’s Research UK. Iwan wrote ‘I'm running the 2025 TCS London Marathon for Alzheimer's Research UK! Three of my grandparents have been affected by dementia with my granny being diagnosed with Alzheimer's. It has had a huge impact on our family and it's incredibly painful to see what it does to our loved ones. This is why I'm running for ARUK, to strive for a cure and better understanding of this terrible disease.’

So Charlton Park collective, let’s get behind our runners, cheer them on but more importantly, dig deep for these worthy causes and help Michael and Iwan smash the targets that they have set themselves.

You can donate for Michael and Iwan through Just Giving. Just search for their names

COME ON PARK
DEEDS NOT WORDS