Wellington man to run solo night time marathon for Fiji

Media release

31 March 2011

Wellington man to run solo night time marathon for the Children of Fiji charity

Wellington man Paul Eades is in training to run a full marathon through the capital at night to raise funds for a Fijian children’s charity.

Paul, 27, from Te Aro will be embarking on the longest run of his life on Sunday April 10 at 10.30pm NZ time – the exact time the Brighton Marathon begins in the UK.

Last year Paul’s sister Lini Eades ran the Brighton Marathon to raise funds for the Children of Fiji charity in memory of their mother Sera, Lini’s daughter Iva, aged three, and relative Valerie Bryan who were killed in a car accident in Christchurch two years ago.

Unfortunately Lini was diagnosed with breast cancer and was forced to pull out of training and that’s the moment Paul says he decided to take on his sister’s dream and run in her place.

“When Lini had to pull out of the marathon due to poor health, I knew I had to run in her place. I want to raise funds for the Children of Fiji charity but I also want to raise the charity’s profile in New Zealand.”

The Children of Fiji charity works to advance education, health and welfare for the children of Fiji.

The Eades family has strong connections to the Pacific Islands. Sera Eades was born and raised in Fiji until she was 24, moving to the UK after meeting her husband Geoff Eades in 1973. The couple lived in New Zealand for more than 20 years. The Eades family have already raised money for the charity to build the Sunny Smiles Kindergarten on the Fijian island of Kadavu, in memory of Sera and Iva.

Now Paul hopes his marathon run will raise a significant sum towards another kindergarten the charity is building in the village of Rukuruku on the island of Ovalau.

Paul will set off from Wellington’s Wakefield Street, run along Oriental Parade and follow the coastline to Lyall Bay, , then run the Miramar peninsula loop again, completing a total of 42.1 kilometres. Not only will the run be Paul’s first marathon, but he will be running in the dark with only his transit support team for company.

“I’m really excited and slightly nervous about running a marathon on my own, but I’m really looking forward to completing it and raising money for the charity so that they can continue to build schools throughout Fiji. My training has been tough, but it’s nothing compared to what my sister is going through and I can only hope I can do her proud,” he says.

Peter and Margaret Long, Co-directors of The Children of Fiji charity feel inspired and very thankful for Paul’s efforts and the Eades family’s dedication to the cause.

“Paul’s marathon run is an inspiration to us all and yet another way in which the Eades family is supporting the work of Children of Fiji to help improve the lives of disadvantaged children. We would like to take this opportunity to thank the Eades family for their continued support.”

To support Paul and donate to The Children of Fiji charity, visit www.everydayheroco.uk/sunny_smiles_fiji and click donate. Alternatively, if you would like to come out and encourage Paul on his solo night run on Sunday April 10 at 10.30pm please contact Jillian Keogh at jillian[at]ideasshop.co.nz

ENDS

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