Bob Lewis - Charity Supporter & Fundraiser

Bob Lewis, 48, raised over £1,700 for the Dame Kelly Holmes Legacy Trust at the Brussels Mini Marathon in October 2009.

Spurred on by his previous 'bad' performance at the event due to his weight gain, Bob embarked on a weight loss programme that enabled him to run the 4 km race 9 minutes faster. He lost 50lbs and went on to set a very attractive international theme to Dame Kelly's fundraising team.

"I finished 1 minute behind the 1st M45 runner and almost neck and neck with the 1st man home in the M50 category so, at 48, I'm happy with that."

Asked why he chose to run for Dame Kelly's charity, he said

"The Trust has the most fantastic mission and I know how powerful a catalyst sporting heroes can be in inspiring young people to achieve their potential. When I went to the boot camp last summer, I actually took Kelly's autobiography 'Black, White and Gold' with me and each evening after our bodies had been pummelled all day I would crawl up to bed and read several chapters before going to sleep.

"I read it from cover to cover and I have to say it is among the most inspirational books I've ever read."

Bob has since visited the graduation ceremony of the Trust's summer 2010 'Get On Track' programme to see for himself the impact his donation has had in getting unemployed young people into employment, education and training.