The force was strong for York Brass Monkey: Minster Law solicitor conquers half-marathon and smashes fundraising target
Stuart Hanley, manager and solicitor in the Compliance Team at Minster Law’s head office in York, ended the Brass Monkey Half-Marathon in York on Sunday 17th January 2016 feeling anything other than freezing. An established runner, Stuart completed the full 13 miles in a Darth Vader costume, complete with lightsaber, in an outstanding time of two hours and thirteen minutes, which included stoppage time to take photographs and high five many fellow Star Wars fans in the crowds.
Forty-seven-year-old Stuart is one of three Minster Law employees chosen to undertake a charitable challenge to raise £2,000 for a life-changing project in Zambia. Parent company, BGL group is well underway with its honourable charity pledge, funding £160,000 to the Build It International charity, who has its sights set on opening a new healthcare centre in Zambia. The new medical centre will consist of an outpatient clinic, under-fives clinic, HIV testing/TB clinic laboratory and pharmacy as well as a separate maternity unit. The project is part of BGL’s commitment to donate £3 million to charitable causes over five years.
Stuart and his Yorkshire-based Minster Law colleagues, Amanda Parkinson and Jamie Lyons, are among a team of BGL Group employees who are giving their time and efforts to help provide lifetime results for the people of Zambia. The work will provide the local community with excellent healthcare and, as a father, Stuart is committed to raising as much as he possibly can to help support the cause. He has already smashed his £2,000 fundraising target for competing in the York Brass Monkey; currently his donation page stands at an impressive and well-earned £4,161.50 including gift aid.
Stuart let us in on his inspiration to participate in the Build It International charity, “When my eldest son was born at York Hospital he had to be rushed to Leeds hospital for emergency treatment and remained there for 2 weeks. I was struck by the wonderful care he received through the NHS; had he been born in Kapiri he would not have had access to such care and vital urgent treatment.”
Stuart’s fundraising will undoubtedly help change the lives of many children and adults in Kapiri. On the 17th June 2016 Stuart and a team of twenty will visit the Kapiri community and witness what their fundraising has helped construct. His Virgin money giving page is still live for people who would like to support his efforts – 100% of donations are given to Build It International to help change the lives of the community of Kapiri.
