Virgin Trains photocall: marathon-running polar bear at Macclesfield station

23 April 2009

What: Una Clarke, Macclesfield’s marathon-running polar bear, will be in costume on
her way to London for Sunday’s race

Where: Macclesfield railway station

When: Saturday 25 April 08.30 (for 08.55 departure)

Una Clarke, a Boliingbrooke woman passionate about nature, will be boarding a Virgin train wearing the polar bear costume in which she is going to run the 26.2 miles of the London marathon.

Running her first marathon at the age of 50 Una doesn’t expect a fast time, but does expect to be noticed and to raise awareness of climate change. Una said:

‘I love animals and I’m passionate about conservation. The plight of the polar bear trying to survive on disappearing ice at the north pole is emblematic of the whole issue of climate change and the damage it’s doing to the planet. Running such a distance in a polar bear suit won’t be easy, but I want to raise awareness, and money for the World Wide Fund for Nature.’

Una left full time employment last year to pursue her environmental interests. She starts a degree course in animal behaviour and welfare at Rease Heath College, Nantwich, in September.

Donations can be sent to WWF, c/o 15 Weatherall Road, Macclesfield, SK10 3BB. Cheques should be made payable to WWF.

Una will be travelling on a Virgin Pendolino service. These trains emit at least 76 percent less CO2 than cars and 78 percent less than domestic flights on average. They also have regenerative braking, which means that every time the driver applies the brakes electricity is returned to the National Grid, generating enough electricity each year to power 11,825 homes for a year.

You are invited to send a reporter/photographer/film crew to Macclesfield station. Please confirm attendance toglynn.mcdonald@virgintrains.co.uk or by calling 0845 000 3333, and ask for the team leader on arrival at the station.