W FEATURE
L
WIRRAL MARATHON MAN
TARGETS AMAZON RAINFOREST TO
RAISE FUNDS FOR CHILDREN’S CHARITY
A West Kirby man is taking on one of the toughest
marathons on earth in order to raise thousands for
children’s cancer charity Neuroblastoma UK.
Lee Quinn, a Litigation Executive & Department Manager
at Birkenhead-based Your Legal Friend, will take part in The
Jungle Ultra; a five day, 230km race through the Amazon
Rainforest in Peru.
He will participate in the race in June 2018, which is split
into five stages and will involve battling through jungle
undergrowth, river crossings and mountain valleys.
Competitors can expect choking humidity, knee deep mud and
heavy rain as well as periods spent night running – all in an
area which is home to some of the most dangerous animals
in the world. Each entrant is expected to carry their entire kit
which includes food for the five days, safety equipment and a
minimum of 2.5 litres of water.
To prepare for the marathon, Lee has planned a gruelling
weekly training routine. A typical weekend can see him wake
at 5.30am on a Saturday for a run up and around Helvellyn in
the Lake District. This is then followed on Sunday by a 4.30am
start to do an 8kg ‘load run’ up Snowdon followed by a session
in the gym.
Lee also has a few ‘warm up’ events planned including a three
day, 84-mile ultra-marathon in Hertfordshire, a 44-mile race
around the Brecon Beacons, and a two-day 66 mile marathon
in Surrey. No stranger to a challenge, he completed the six-day
257km Marathon des Sables across the Sahara Desert in 2016,
raising £7,856.64 for Neuroblastoma UK.
26 wirrallife.com
Lee’s support for the charity began after a family friend’s child
was diagnosed with the rare condition.
Lee said: “This is another brutal challenge that will really test
my body and mental strength to its limits. The race organisers
only allow 100 entrants to take part, in order to protect the
area and its wildlife so I’m fortunate to be able to compete. It’s
going to be tough but I’m extremely passionate about raising
awareness and money for those suffering from Neuroblastoma
so I don’t need any more motivation. The funds will hopefully
make a significant difference to the youngsters and their
families affected by cancer.
Neuroblastoma UK raises funds for medical research into
improving both diagnosis and treatment of the disease.
Neuroblastoma is a rare form of cancer that affects children
typically aged under five and is responsible for one in six cancer
deaths in children.
Alastair Whitington, Trustee, Neuroblastoma UK from
Neuroblastoma UK added: “Lee has already raised a huge
amount for the charity and we really can’t thank him enough. It
will make a fantastic difference in the fight against this terrible
disease. We wish him all the best in his latest challenge.”
Lee is covering his £2,250 race entry fee and the cost of his
flights, food and equipment himself meaning that all funds
raised will go directly to Neuroblastoma UK.
If you would like to sponsor Lee, you can do so via his Just
Giving page: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/LeeQuinn03