The CEO of Teesside-based, leading e-commerce agency, Visualsoft, is running two marathons in aid of Middlesbrough baby hospice, Zoë’s Place.
Dean Benson has already taken part in the New York marathon on Sunday 3rd November 2019, and is due to run a marathon in Honolulu, Hawaii, on December 8th.
Dean is hoping to raise £5,000 for Zoë’s Place, an independent children’s charity providing palliative, respite and end of life care to babies and infants, suffering from life-limiting or life-threatening conditions.
Over the past 10 years, Dean has helped to raise over £30,000 for various charities in the UK by undertaking challenging feats such as the Three Peaks challenge, cycling coast to coast in a day, an Ironman challenge in Switzerland and the Raid Pyrenees cycling challenge.
Dean Benson, CEO at Visualsoft, said: “I have never completed a marathon before, but I love a challenge and wanted to do something different to raise awareness of Zoë’s Place – a great charity in the Tees Valley where I was born and work.
“I am certainly not an athlete and quite often end up dragging myself around these challenges. The marathon in Honolulu will test my willpower and body in extremely hot and humid conditions but I am determined to complete both marathons in good time.
“I’ve met some amazing friends through these challenges that have either participated in them or supported me through them. I couldn’t do any of this without them.
“I am hoping to raise as much money as possible for this beloved charity and I am really grateful for all the sponsorship – it really keeps me going!”
Rachael Willmore, Community Fundraiser at Zoë’s Place, said: “We are incredibly grateful for Dean’s fundraising efforts and his personal dedication to the two marathons, raising funds and awareness on behalf of Zoë’s Place Baby Hospice. For most, one marathon in the UK would be a big enough of a challenge, but to undertake two marathons within weeks of each other in extreme climates is incredible!”