On road to the ‘Big Apple’

MARATHON man Steve Exley is to combine fundraising and sightseeing on a trip to New York.

Steve, 32, formerly of Milnsbridge, will run the New York Marathon this Sunday.

The lifelong Town fan, who used to play in goal for Golcar United, hopes to raise £1,000 for the Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice in Huddersfield.

Steve and wife Anna, also 32, will enjoy a few days in the ‘City That Never Sleeps’ either side of the marathon. The 26-mile run, starting at Staten Island, takes in the Hudson Bridge and the districts of Brooklyn, Manhattan, Harlem and the Bronx.

Steve, who now lives in Glossop, was introduced to the hospice when the firm he works for, Asda, chose Forget Me Not as its charity. “I had a tour and it was really emotional,” he said. “It’s a special place.”

Steve, who has been in training for the past five months, has completed a marathon before – in about four-and-a-half hours.

“I did the London Marathon in 2006,” said Steve. “But that was when I was younger. I’ve noticed I’m a lot slower now! Hopefully I’ll manage it in under five hours.”

Steve and Anna, who hope to go ice skating in Central Park and visit the Empire State Building and Ground Zero, are paying their own travel and hotel costs so every penny donated will go to the hospice.

“I have raised £600 so far and hope to reach £1,000,” Steve added.

To donate to the worthy cause go to:www.justgiving.com/SteveExleyNewYork2012