An Oxford student will run the 2013 London Marathon as a Womble. Nick Chan, an International Relations D.Phil student at St Antony’s, is running the 26.2 mile course dressed as Orinoco from the 1970s BBC children’s TV series.
Chan is raising money for the Jesuit Missions, the charity branch of the British Jesuits. He said, “I am excited to be fundraising for Jesuit Missions, which is a fantastic charity that supports the work of the Jesuits in the UK. To be tackling the London Marathon as a running Womble is certainly a daunting challenge – one that I am nervous about, but looking forward to”.
Chan is aiming to raise £2000.
In the UK, Jesuit Missions run the Jesuit Refugee Service, providing for the basic needs of asylum seekers. Chan said, “It’s about trying to put our faith into action to demonstrate compassion, love, and charity”.
In 2011, Jesuit Missions reported it had raised over £1 million from the London Marathon.
Chan has run the marathon twice before, but never in costume. He said, “I am looking forward to the atmosphere and support from the crowd – it will be needed more than ever this time around.”
