Abta head of financial protection John de Vial is after the travel sector’s money as he seeks sponsors for a London Marathon run to raise funds for the Family Holiday Association (FHA).
De Vial has a pledge from Tui Travel to match-fund the cash he raises up to £5,000, meaning he hopes to raise £10,000.
He said: “I aim to complete the London Marathon, fundraising for the Family Holiday Association and in memory of my colleague and friend Ian Reynolds.
“I have a target of £10,000, with corporate sponsor Tui Travel generously matching donations up to £5,000. I am nearly half way there, so please give generously.”
De Vial will run as part of the FHA’s Team Starfish which he describes as “a good cross-section of the industry”.
He admitted: “It has been a while since my last London Marathon, 26 years ago when I was 26. My objectives are to finish alive, without stopping and in daylight.”
De Vial recalls he completed the 1988 Marathon on behalf of The Prince’s Trust “in a very average 5 hours 12 minutes 29 seconds – although in those days it took more than the 12 minutes 29 seconds to cross the start line and you had to work out your own marathon time”.
But he pledged: “In another 26 years I will run the 2040 London Marathon for Abta LifeLine.”
The Marathon is on Sunday 13 April. Will you help John meet his financial target? To donate go to John’s Just Giving page.