Paresh Raithatha from Ansell Garden Centre in West Drayton, Middlesex will be running the Virgin London Marathon as part of his fundraising efforts for Perennial this year. 

Paresh told GTN Xtra; “I am fortunate to work in the industry I love and have grown up in. I realise that many of my industry colleagues are not so fortunate and face the daily challenges of illness, injury, hardship and unemployment. My London Marathon campaign is my way of giving something back to the charity dedicated to supporting people in horticulture and doing something to directly help those in need."

Paresh’s fundraising will form part of the HortAid total for 2016. Last year HortAid raised over £80,000 to help UK horticulturists. 

Chris Crooker, Events Manager at Perennial says, “We are grateful to all those who choose to fundraise for Perennial and rely on their support to continue to provide our free and confidential services. Paresh is aiming to raise £2,500 by running the London Marathon, a truly heroic effort! We will be there to cheer him on and will be supporting his fundraising campaign this year as he paves the way for HortAid 2016.”

If you'd like to sponsor Paresh for his run in the Virgin London Marathon 2016, here is a link to his fundraising page.