One of the Brentford staff will be taking on one of the world’s most famous physical challenges again later today – this time for a cause very close to his heart. Chris Haslam, Head of Athletic Performance at Brentford FC, will be among of tens of thousands of people about to pound the streets of London in the name of sport and charity. The 2019 Virgin London Marathon takes place today and around 40,000 people will run from Blackheath to The Mall and cover the 26.2-mile course. Chris will be among them, as will others with a Brentford link.

It is not the first time that Chris has run the marathon but this time it will mean a little bit more. Chris’ father died of cancer in November 2018 and in his last months he was cared for by the Peace Hospice, in Watford. Chris will be running the marathon to raise money for the hospice.

Brentford dedicated the match against Leeds United, on Monday 22 April, to the charity. There were collection buckets for supporters to donate and t-shirts will be worn by the players on the day. Fans can also sponsor Chris online at https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/ChrisHaslam4.

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 – will cover the course today. You can donate to Lee’s fundraising page here. For more information about fundraising opportunities with the Trust please email [email protected].

Brentford fan Lisa Collings is also running the marathon. She will be raising money for Dementia UK. The Collings family are all regulars at Griffin Park and Lisa is running in memory of her father and to support her mother, who is living with Alzheimer’s Disease. Read about Lisa’s story and sponsor her at https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/lisa-collings-dementia-uk-london-marathon.