IT firm director runs Jersey marathon for cancer charity heping his wife

Inspired by his wife’s battle against cancer, novice runner Jason Connolly has helped raise more than £1,200 for the charity supporting her.

Mr Connolly, director at Next Generation IT, and his colleague Richard Gibbons, completed the Jersey marathon after doing the Guernsey quarter marathon and Father’s Day half marathon as training runs.

Their aim was to raise £500 for Bright Tights, which supports local women, promotes awareness of gynaecological cancers and funds research into advanced immunotherapy treatments. The charity has been supporting Mr Connolly’s wife, who has been undergoing cancer treatment for more than a year.

‘Genealogical cancers are much rarer than breast cancer, so funding for support and research is lagging behind. Bright Tights is a Guernsey charity, set up specifically to resolve that. I wanted to support the great work that Bright Tights do to provide support and hope for local women. It was also great personally to be able to do something to help and to have a challenge to focus on,’ he said. 

‘The Jersey marathon is a challenging hilly course, but both Richard and I beat our target time of four hours and 15 minutes, and enjoyed a well-earned pint and burger at the finish line to celebrate. My aim was to raise £500, but I have been amazed by the generosity of my friends, family, work colleagues and customers and the amount raised has gone over £1,200 and I’m hoping it will rise even further.’

Donations can still be made at the Association of Guernsey Charities’ website www.giving.gg by selecting Jason’s Jersey Marathon.  100% of all donations go to the charity.