PARK LANE STABLES BOSS COMPLETES MARATHON – DRESSED AS PENGUIN
Teddington’s Park Lane stables founder Natalie O’Rourke completed her eleventh marathon yesterday in conditions which did NOT suit a runner dressed as a PENGUIN.
Natalie MBE, aged 51, was running for her 13 year old Down’s Syndrome son Woody’s football team, the Brentford Penguins. She crossed the line in 4 hours 37 mins – “not too shabby for an old bird in a costume,” she joked.
She has raised nearly £6000 from 175 donations.
She told Teddington Town: “A penguin prefers coolers conditions and it was boiling inside the suit but the whole thing was amazing.
”It’s the crowd that gets you through – I have never heard my name shouted in so many different accents by so many people including children.
“I felt so supported and loved.”
”The Penguins have been so supportive to Woody when other football teams rejected him they have been so supportive both to him and to me as a parent.”
She added: “Brentford Penguins Football Club is the place where Woody is completely accepted and encouraged to be the best footballer he can be. For Woody football is life.
“Lead coach Allan is a force for good and is not only there for the penguins but the parents too.
“Woody gets to train and compete with other footballers who have Down’s syndrome with coaches who truly understand his needs. The club creates opportunities for Woody and is a pathway up to adulthood including coaching. Woody has made friends at Penguins and so have I which is so important in the disability community.
“The whole club is funded by charity money which is why I’m running The London Marathon dressed as a penguin…… ”
You donate here: Planet Penguin Football Foundation: Woodys Mums page