Supporting Charities

November 17, 2023

In 2016 Simon decided that he wanted to see if he could raise money for worthy charities up and down the country. After hearing Chris Evans talking so enthusiastically on the radio about the London Marathon and the intense training but the benefits to his health, fitness and mental health Simon decided that he would enter the ballot. He didn’t get a place through the ballot but got a charity place and here his journey began……

Latest Updates:

2025 – Raising Money For The Michael Lisnow Respite Centre & Bone Cancer Trust UK

In April Simon travelled to Boston to meet up with the Charity Michael Lisnow Respite Centre. Simon raised an incredible £15k for the charity and was once again humbled to see how the money is used to help children with disabilities and their families. It was a hot day in Boston, despite it snowing the week before! Simon was ecstatic to get a very impressive time of 3hrs 49m. He conquered heartbreak hill!

The next day he flew back to the UK because his 4^th London Marathon was looming. Two marathons in 2 countries 6 days apart – crazy stuff! It was a very hot day in London, but he managed to finish in just over 4 hours! Fundraising for The Bone Cancer Trust in honour of his mum who passed away last year. There is still time to help Simon get to his target of £2.5k – links below.

And to top it all off – he became a World Record Holder! Those that finished the London Marathon all became one! The marathon with the largest number of finishers! How cool is that!

Thank you to everyone that donated to these very worthy causes – it meant so much!

Please donate anything you can here and many thanks:

www.givengain.com/project/simon-raising-funds-for-michael-lisnow-respite-center-96085

www.justgiving.com/page/simon-cook-2

Raising Money For Michael’s Miracle

Tokyo Marathon 2024 & Boston Marathon 2024

During the beginning of 2024 Simon was busy training for these two marathons. The first one was the Tokyo Marathon in March. Simon was impressed with the efficiency of the whole experience and put in a great time of 3:51:08. The Japanese wanted a plastic free event so absolutely no type of water bottle was allowed on the course. This alarmed a lot of runners who are used to carrying their water either in a bottle or i a camel pack. But there were plenty of aid stations on the route and the runners had to put their drinking cups into bins and not discard them on the course. Within hours of the race completion everything was packed away with swift efficiency - you would never have known there had been a marathon!

In April Simon went to Boston to meet up with the Charity Michael Lisnow Respite Centre who he had been raising money for. They were a fantastic and very worthy charity. Simon was bowled over by their welcome and generosity during his stay. Simon tackled Heartbreak Hill and finally got to pick up his 6th World Majors Medal! It was a very emotional moment! He managed to raise £8000 with the kind generosity of family, friends and customers so a big thank you to all who supported and donated.

Watch this space to see what 2025 has in store for him!

Raising Money For Teenage Cancer Trust

Berlin Marathon 2023 & New York Marathon 2023

Not one for letting the grass grow under his feet Simon got places for the Berlin Marathon & New York Marathon for 2023. Continuing to train throughout the year. On another personal goal Simon has run a half marathon every month for the last couple of years.

Simon chose Teenage Cancer Trust to help raise awareness for this incredible charity. They are the only UK cancer charity here to give every young person facing cancer the best care and support. Berlin Marathon came first on 24^th September. Simon completed the marathon on a very hot sunny day in a time of 3.50.01 and a few weeks later he jetted off to New York. The New York

Marathon took place on a warm sunny day on 5^th November. Simon describes that marathon as brutal – he didn’t realise it was so hilly. A couple of miles from the end he came across a chap from the UK who was really struggling and on the verge of quitting – he offered to run with him until the end and they crossed the line together in a time of 4.15.26.

Simon says even though that was the hardest marathon it was also the craziest in terms of the amount of support the spectators gave and the sheer volume of them – it was so noisy! Not one to rest on his laurels Simon has signed up for the last 2 Majors – Tokyo and Boston 2024. Tokyo comes first in March quickly followed by Boston in April. Watch this space – there is no rest for the wicked! Hopefully Simon can collect that Major’s medal at the end of Boston!

Raising Money For Parkinsons UK

London Marathon 2022 & Chicago Marathon 2022

So, after 4 years of not being able to run the London Marathon Simon was very motivated to get through his training programme healthy and injury free. Because Covid had disrupted the timing for the London Marathon it meant that The London Marathon was on October the 2^nd and Chicago Marathon was on the 9^th October. So Simon had 2 marathons to run a week apart and 5000 miles apart!

Simon had also been battling with those 22 seconds from 2017 – it had been eating away at him as he secretly had wanted to run that marathon in a sub 4 hour time. Simon was given a charity place by Parkinson’s UK – he chose this charity because

Terry – Master Technician at ACC UK Ltd had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s – so he wanted to show his support and raise money for this very worthy charity. Well, Simon put his demons to bed completing the London Marathon in a fantastic time of 3.47.59 and the Chicago Marathon a week later in a fantastic time of 3.51.17!. Raising a fantastic £2500 along the way! Now Simon had a new goal – The Abbott Big 6 World Majors…..

2021 - No marathon – Simon tore his thigh muscle during training.

2020 – No marathon – Covid hit and the UK was in lockdown. The London Marathon was cancelled for April. Simon had also been accepted into the Chicago Marathon, but his place had to be deferred due to Covid.

2019 – No marathon – Simon had to have surgery on a damaged rotator cuff in March so was unable to run the London marathon in April.

2018 – No marathon – Simon damaged his rotator cuff in the middle of training so was unable to run the London marathon in April.

Raising Money For the Leonard Cheshire

London Marathon 2017

Simon loved his first marathon experience so much he decided to run again. This time he ran for a customer of ACC UK Ltd – Leonard Cheshire. ACC had been servicing their work vehicles for some time so he wanted to give something back to this very local charity. Leonard Cheshire provide support to people with disabilities to live, learn and work as independently as they choose whatever their ability. They offer a variety of services including residential and supported living, therapy suites, social activities as well as training. They believe in building a fairer, more inclusive society. One that recognises the positive contributions we all make.

Simon trained harder for this marathon wanting to improve his time. He completed the marathon in 4hours and 22 seconds. Raising over £2000 with the help of friends, family, customers, and suppliers. BUT that 22 seconds ate away at him!

Raising Money For the NSPCC

London Marathon 2016

Simon ran his first London Marathon for the NSPCC – National Society For The Prevention of Cruelty To Children. They are the leading children’s charity in the UK, specialising in child protection and dedicated to protecting children today to prevent abuse tomorrow. They are the only UK children’s charity with statutory powers, which means they can take action to safeguard children at risk of abuse.

Simon had no preconceived ideas on how long he would take to run his first marathon – he just had the words of Chris Evans in his ears saying anything more than 5 hours is a stroll! He completed it in 4hours 21 minutes and 47 seconds! Friends, Family, Customers and Suppliers helped him raise £2500 for this worthy charity.