Half-marathon only a warm up for Chieveley man

Dorian Cook, aged 44, will run the NSPCCs MK (Milton Keynes) half marathon on July 7, raising funds for the NSPCCs ChildLine Schools Service, which provides volunteers to talk to primary school children about abuse and also offers advice on how they can protect themselves and receive help.
Mr Cook, a director at Nemesis Medical which has offices based in Theale, has four boys; three of whom have been profoundly deaf since birth.
“It’s a charity we can connect with and it’s a very worthwhile cause.
"It’s important that a child has a safe upbringing and because we have deaf children it’s all the more important as they may not necessarly pick up what is safe.
“Having deaf children makes you aware of the importance of happiness for kids that allows them to grow and be confident with themselves.”
The run has raised over £445,000 over the last 14 years and the NSPCC is hoping to break the half-million pound mark to celebrate the event's 15th anniversary.
However, the half-marathon will only serve as a warm-up for Mr Cook as he will be running the Chicago marathon in October to raise money for Mary Hare Primary School, Greenham.
“Mary Hare has done a great job with our boys. Our seven-year-old didn’t have very good language skills but now he talks too much,” Mr Cook said.
“The staff are dedicated but they operate on a tight budget so it will be good to get them some new equipment.”
To make a donation for the Mary Hare Primary run at the Chicago Marathon visit www.justgiving.com/Dorian-Cook