Fellow runners help Haines along road to $1M goal

(CNS): Every penny counts when it comes to Derek Haines’ marathon challenge to raise $1 million to help the local hospice build an inpatient care facility by running six marathons around the world this year. Roger Davies, treasurer of the Hash House Harriers – Hash Cash, handed him CI$1,000 following the AGM and Hash Run, representing a significant amount of the small running club's funds.However, it helped push the current total of money raised to over $375,000. As Haines limbers up for his third 26-mile pavement pounder next month in Pamplona and the half way mark of the challenge, he is hoping to have hit the half-million dollar mark as well.

Davies said that the local runners were delighted to help Haines along the road. "The membership is pleased to be able to support the efforts of one of our members and wish (him) the best of luck in the remaining four marathons."

Haines was particularly pleased for the support of his Monday night running chums.

“This is a lovely and welcome donation. We are a small group and this represents a large percentage of our club funds. It seems I was left out of the email circulation so as to completely surprise me. Members are also donating individually and this is great support," he added.

So far Haines has run the London and Paris marathons, and after the Spanish long distance run, the veteran distance runner will be heading to San Francisco in July, then Dublin in October before he brings it home to take on the annual Cayman Islands marathon in December.

To help Haines further along the road to the target, visit the marathon challenge website and make a donation at six4hospice.com