Highbury runner to compete in London Marathon to help other deaf people
Mike Hawthorne - Credit: Archant
A former national gymnastics champion from Highbury is hoping to emulate some of his Olympic heroes by running the London Marathon.
Mike Hawthorne, 53, who became the first deaf person to win the British Veterans Gymnastics Championships in 1987, will be raising money for deafblind children and adults across the country.
Mike, from Framfield Road, is taking on the 26-mile challenge to raise money for Sense, the national deafblind charity, as he feels that having both hearing and sight loss makes it twice as difficult to find ways to cope.
Originally from Essex, he moved to Islington 20 years ago.
He said: “I know first-hand the challenges that come with having hearing loss and I wanted to help people who are both deaf and blind to get the support that they need.”
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He aims to finish the race in less than five hours and has been training hard.
“I’m really excited about race day but I think the hardest bit would be controlling my nerves. The tension will keep me motivated till the end no matter how tired I get. No pain, no gain has always been my motto so the tougher it gets the harder I’ll keep trying.”
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In 2012, Mike took part in the Olympics opening ceremony as a dancer and was a volunteer at the Paralympics. He had the Olympic rings tattooed on his arm to remind him of that time.
n He has already raised more than £1,500 for Sense. To sponsor him, visit: http://uk.virgin moneygiving.com/MIKE HAW THORNE
