Former Town keeper James Pullen, who is now back at Portman Road as first team masseur, will be running this year’s Virgin London Marathon in aid of the ITFC Charitable Trust and also Sense — dressed as Blues mascot Crazee. The marathon is on Sunday 21st April.
James, who will be running his first ever marathon, says the costume will make completing the 26 miles and 385 yards additionally challenging: "The suit Crazee has agreed I can wear is quite thick and heavy as its made of black fur fabric, complete with large fur gloves, however the hardest part will be the Crazee head which will completely cover my face and neck.
"My costume will make me look a bit like Crazee only taller but I’m doing this to raise not only much needed funds but also awareness of all the good works done by ITFC Charitable Trust and also Sense - a national charity supporting and campaigning for deafblind people.”
He added: "The ITFC Charitable Trust is a registered charity working with young people here in Suffolk to inspire, motivate and educate those in need, like the physically and mentally disabled and those classed as NEETs (Not in Education, Training or Employment).
"As an independent charity the Trust has to raise £1million in funding each and every year to continue to run programmes for these people. As a national charity Sense supports deafblind people with various crucial services to live fulfilling and aspirational lives as independently as possible and both of these charities are ones I greatly respect and admire.”
James is in training, regularly running 14 miles, but is yet to cover any distance in the suit. "I think just trying it on made me realise how tough this is going to be. I don’t think I’d better do that again until the actual day or I might be tempted to change my mind! "I’m hoping the adrenaline will kick in and give me the boost I need to make it over the finish line.” The Town players have given his fundraising target a start with £1,300 already collected. If you’d like to spur James on and support his efforts, you can do so by visiting his Just Giving page. For more details of James’s preparations visit www.itfccharitabletrust.org.uk or follow ITFC_Trust on Twitter.What to read next:
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Highlights of yesterday’s 3-3 draw with Hull City at the MKM Stadium.
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Town boss Kieran McKenna reflected on the wonderful position his side is in following tonight’s 3-3 draw at Hull City.
Town moved level on points with second-placed Leeds United following a pulsating 3-3 draw with Hull City at the MKM Stadium having been in front three times. Returning striker George Hirst put the Blues in front in the 19th minute but the Tigers levelled on 40 through Ozan Tufan before Omari Hutchinson put Town back ahead with the first of two brilliant goals. However, Hull equalised again through Liam Delap in the 56th minute, then Hutchinson’s second put the Blues ahead again, however, Tigers sub Noah Ohio grabbed a point for the East Yorkshire side with three minutes remaining and the Blues were unable to take late chances to win it.
If you saw the match, please give us your player ratings and a mini match report.
Goals from George Hirst and Omari Hutchinson have given Town a 2-1 half-time lead over Hull City at the MKM Stadium.