Allan Dolby has been Managing Director at Direct Air since 1993. Throughout the past 30 years Allan and the Direct Air team have taken on challenging activities to support charity funding. This year Allan is going solo as he takes on his biggest challenge yet.
Allan has completed half marathons in the past with his daughters, but this year he’s deciding to go the extra mile (the extra 13 miles actually!) by running the London Marathon on Sunday 21st April whilst raising funds for the Alzheimer’s Society charity.
For the next two months or so we’re going to be following along Allan’s journey and providing you with updates as he gets really stuck into the intense marathon training.
We’re excited to share this with you, so to get things started we sat down with Allan to chat about why he’s so passionate to complete this challenge.
Why have you decided to do the London Marathon?
This year, I have decided to take on the ultimate challenge that requires months of preparation, dedication, and mental strength – the London Marathon. However, my reason for doing so goes beyond personal accomplishment. I have chosen to participate in the iconic event to support the Alzheimer’s Society charity, honour the memory of my beloved mother, and seek a new challenge that will push my limits.
Alzheimer’s disease is a cruel and debilitating illness that affects millions of individuals and their families worldwide. Therefore, I have decided to raise awareness and funds for the Alzheimer’s Society charity, which provides essential support and resources for those affected by the disease.
What are your aims and goals for this challenge?
My aims and goals for this challenge are simply to start and finish the marathon! That alone is such a personal achievement that will require unwavering determination and resilience. However, alongside that, I am also committed to raising as much money as possible for such a great cause.
Running 26.2 miles is no small feat, but I wanted to make this event meaningful and impactful by raising funds for a cause close to my heart – the Alzheimer’s Society charity.
Can you talk us through your training plan?
My marathon training is going well so far. With a well-structured training plan in place, I have been consistently putting in the required effort and making progress week by week.
Currently, my training entails three runs per week, with longer distances covered during the weekends. I will continue with this right up until the marathon date approaches.
In order to prepare myself closer to the time of the London Marathon I will be taking part in the Brighton 10K race, which is going ahead just two weeks before on 7th April. My participation in the Brighton 10K holds an even deeper significance as my daughter, Lauren Dolby, is running in the Brighton Marathon where she will also be supporting the Alzheimer’s Society charity. By running in the Brighton 10K race, I’ll be able to proudly support my daughter’s endeavour and also continue to contribute to raising awareness and funds for this worthy cause.
The Brighton 10K race acts as a great stepping stone on my marathon training journey. It allows me to get back amongst the race atmosphere and fine-tune marathon strategies.
What are your sponsorship plans?
Any sponsorship, no matter how small, will be most welcome and will go towards a great cause that affects so many of us. At Direct Air, we have been a long-standing supporter of Alzheimer’s Society charity – it is a cause that is close to our hearts. We firmly believe in the power of standing together and making a positive impact in our communities.
To magnify the impact of your sponsorship, Direct Air is committed to matching every pound donated with our own pound.