Brentford FC Community Sports Trust will have a fundraising place at the London Marathon for the first time this year. Lee Sullivan – an avid Brentford fan – highlighted why he decided to run the London Marathon for our Trust at the end of the month

Why did you decide to run the marathon for Brentford FC Community Sports Trust? ​

I have been watching Brentford play for many years and the Club is very close to my heart. I wanted to not only give back to Brentford, which has given me so many great memories over the year but support their Community Sports Trust too.

Why do you think it is important that football clubs get involved in the local community?

I am a PE teacher, and I see first-hand how much young people look up to sports people/clubs. I share the values of the Trust in that we have an amazing opportunity to use the power of sport to educate, motivate and inspire people from all backgrounds. Football can teach so many different life skills that can be utilised in various parts of our lives. Football clubs play a massive role in the communities and have a platform to shape, improve and develop all those that participate.

Which project of the Trust’s stands out the most to you?

The ‘Be Inspired’ programme, which delivers weekly coaching and mentoring sessions for young people, is something that is really needed in this country at the moment. I think it is a fantastic way of brining young people from deprived areas together through football.

How is your training going?

My training is going OK, I am getting the miles in. I won’t lie, it is really tough! I take my hat off to anyone who can not only run a marathon but sticks to the training religiously. It is as much a mental battle as it is a physical one. When it is early on a Sunday morning and its raining outside, all I want to do it stay in bed, though it is people’s sponsorship's that get me out and training. I really appreciate all the donations that have come in from Brentford fans and am delighted to be able to raise the money to go back into the great work of Brentford FC Community Sports Trust.

You can donate to Lee’s fundraising page here.

For more information about our fundraising opportunities please email us at [email protected].