The truth is, he does a lot of running for good causes when he’s not busy as a Three Rivers councillor or representing his Croxley constituency at Herts County Hall.
The energetic councillor from Croxley Green has taken on nine races this year alone, and has already raised £1,650 for the Mount Vernon Cancer Centre in Northwood’s Lynda Jackson centre – a support and information centre for patients..
His running takes him all over the country — and even across the Atlantic.
Chris began his “epic running feat” in June with a half-marathon from Northwood to St Albans — then three marathons in Chester, York and in Washington DC in October.
“Running any marathon is tough,” Chris admits. “But running three in a month is extra tough.
“I have done three half-marathons and many park runs since May, although not as many training runs as I would have liked.”
A Liberal Democrat, Chris also takes an active interest in health in his political life, as health scrutiny vice chair at County Hall
He has family and friends who have had cancer and wants his running to be “an encouragement to anyone” with the disease.
The money he raises pays for therapy sessions at Mount Vernon to help patients deal with the side effects of their treatment.
Amond the races supporting the centre is the ‘Moor Park 10’ race, organised by East and North Hertfordshire Hospitals’ charity, whose head of fundraising Beth McNeil said: “Chris has been a supporter for a decade, now taking on sponsored races to help keep our therapy service going.
“The Lynda Jackson centre is often called ‘a haven and place of comfort’ where people have a cup of tea and a chat to get counselling, which plays a major part in their recovery.”
The charity’s most recent fundraiser was last month’s ‘fun run’ sponsored by businesses in Pinner and Northwood.
Health experts reported in 2019 that Mount Vernon was “working from dilapidated buildings with obsolete equipment and a lack of staff”.
Plans were made back then to move treatment to Watford Hospital — but subject to funding.
Online donations can be made to Mount Vernon by going to https://www.enhhcharity.org.uk/support-ljmc.
