John Taylor, owner of Cranleigh's Richard Onslow pub, has completed a gruelling marathon to raise funds for a local specialist school
When local landlord John Taylor first took up the challenge of raising money for St Joseph's specialist school in Cranleigh, he was aiming for £1,500. Locals, friends, colleagues, pub regulars at the Richard Onslow and Peach Pubs all responded to his impassioned fundraising - 26 gruelling miles along the Sussex coast later, he's smashed his target to raise a full £3,500.
John was "chuffed" to have completed his very first marathon, and "completely blown away" by the sponsorship he received. "I'd just like to offer a heartfelt thank you to everyone who dug deep to support me", he said, adding that "the thought of all the support I had behind me was what kept me going and over the finish line".
The children of St Joseph's have learning difficulties that make everyday communication a challenge, and often make it tricky to use community sport and leisure facilities. The money raised will go toward buying sports equipment, including a new outdoor table tennis table - on which John hopes to play the inaugural game of table tennis.
Anyone who still wants to sponsor John can go to his Virgin Money Giving page
Alternatively, they can pop into the Richard Onslow and make a donation in person
