Heathrow hotel manager Jason Nixon has high hopes for another marathon fund-raising effort next year to help a children’s charity.
Jason Nixon, General Manager at DoubleTree by Hilton London Heathrow Airport, which is managed by Focus Hotels Management, is currently in training for his fifth London Marathon.
The 46-year-old, who lives in Bournemouth, ran his first London marathon in 2010. Since then he has completed around 15 different running events and has raised a total of around £40,000.
The father-of-two said his fund-raising efforts began when he visited a drop-in centre in Southampton which was funded by the Action for Children charity.
The centre provides support for single mothers and under-privileged children.
He said: “My two children, who are 13 and 15 now, were very young at the time, and visiting that centre simply touched my heart and made me want to do something to help.”
Since then, Jason and his team at DoubleTree by Hilton London Heathrow Airport have supported a number of community and charitable organisations in a number of different ways.
He said: “It’s not just about raising money and providing financial aid, it is also about services and other things we can do to help improve the lives of those less fortunate than ourselves.”
Among the many activities that have taken place have been building a shed to protect the toys of the Southampton drop-in centre from the elements to visiting a local home which cares for elderly people with dementia and helping to paint and decorate the Zimmer frames of those being cared for.
But now he is back in training for the London Marathon, which is his favourite fund-raising event.
“The amount of spectators who line the streets make it really special; it’s quite an emotional experience because of the enthusiasm and support of the thousands of people who line the streets; the crowds are amazing.”
This time round, he is raising money for Whizz-Kidz, a charity which works to transform the lives of disabled children across the UK, supporting them to become confident and independent young adults.
Because he lives in Bournemouth but works near Heathrow Airport, he says he has quite an interesting contrast when he is training.
“During the week, I get up at 6am and do a six-mile run along the runway road, where I can watch planes land every 45 seconds or so.
“At the weekends, I get to run along the Jurassic Coast, taking in the sea breeze.”
Jason has also been able to use his contacts within the hotel industry to organise a fund-raising mega raffle to raise funds alongside his London Marathon run.
He said: “Around 25 of my colleagues from all over the world have donated prizes to the ‘mega raffle’, for which I am very grateful.”
The top prize is a two night stay for two people at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in Dubai Palm Beach. Other prizes include hotel stays in Italy, Barcelona and Amsterdam.
Further details about the raffle and prizes can be found by visiting:
https://www.facebook.com/JasonsVLM2020/?modal=admin_todo_tour
https://www.jumblebee.co.uk/jasonsmegawhizzkidsraffle
Anyone interested in supporting Jason’s efforts can make a donation via https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/JasonNixon2
Peter Cashman, CEO of Focus Hotels Management, said: “We’re very proud of Jason and his team, and their amazing fund-raising efforts.
“He has inspired his team to make a positive contribution to the local community and to help improve the lives of those less fortunate than themselves.
“We wish him all the very best for the London Marathon next year, and hope that he attracts the support he needs to smash his £3,000 fund-raising target.”