Wirral solicitor’s marathon bid is hit by credit crunch

Jan 21 2009 by Matt Hurst, Birkenhead News

THE credit crunch has struck a Wirral solicitor as he prepares for the final leg of an epic 18-month attempt to complete the world’s toughest marathons.

Joe Skinner began with the London Marathon in 2007, and has since completed long-distance endurance races in Dublin, New York and the Himalayas, among others, before heading to Africa for the final leg of his quest.

As senior partner with Hamilton Square-based JM Skinner solicitors, Joe’s main concern has been securing compensation payments for workers suffering from asbestosis.

This experience inspired him to try and do something special for the British Lung Foundation, an organisation that commissions and carries out research into the kinds of diseases contracted by many of Joe’s clients.

But with just the gruelling 150-mile, six-day Marathon of the Sands to go, the economic worries facing the rest of the country have hit Joe’s fundraising.

A Wirral property developer who hoped to donate £50,000 has been forced to pull out.

Joe told the News: “If I can get smaller donations, they’d all be welcome and will all go to the British Lung Foundation.

“I wanted to hand the project back to them, after the events, with a substantial amount to fund research.

“If I can’t, then I can’t, but I want to do my best to do that after having a significant part of the funds wiped out.”

All money raised will go to charity, with Joe’s expenses already covered.

The father-of-three is currently preparing for the intense heat of the Sahara Desert, and the prospect of carrying a 30kg pack over sandhills for days on end.

Despite losing a stack of cash, Joe had a bit more luck when put in touch with Dr Ben Edwards at Liverpool John Moores’ Sports Science Department.

With experience of the Sahara event himself, Dr Edwards has re-organised Joe’s diet, as well as giving him the opportunity to run in a heat chamber to help acclimatise to conditions.

The 46-year-old will fly to Morocco on March 15, before he embarks on daily runs, ranging in length from 50 miles to 13 miles, carrying all he needs.

The West Kirby resident said: “I am looking forward to it.

“It’s a challenge, I’m one of those strange people who like to push themselves.”

l Contact Joe at j.skinner@jmskinner.co.uk