Sydney financial planner Adrian Raftery will tackle the New York Marathon in November to raise more than $140,000 for the Heart Foundation of Australia.
"When my dad was ill last year, I made a pledge that I would help make a difference to the lives of other families by giving back to the community," Raftery, 35, says. "Now just about anyone can shave a head or grow a moustache to raise funds for charity - and good on those that do - but not many are willing to take on a real physical challenge and run 42km."
Raftery is a partner of ARW Mac, a Sydney-based superannuation and accounting firm, a managing partner of ARW Chartered Accountants, and chief executive officer of accountantsRus, a network of 62 accounting firms. He will run under the Team Rafters name in memory of his father, Michael Raftery, who died last year from a heart-related illness aged 59. Raftery is a former ruckman who played with the Parramatta Goannas and Auburn Redlegs AFL sides. He also played two test matches for the Australian Masters AFL team in Ireland last year.
He has a gruelling training regime that involves running more than 50km a week. He already has a Gold Coast marathon, Mothers Day Classic and Sydney half-marathon under his belt. Tax deductible donations can be made online at www.teamrafters.com.au. Sponsorship packages are available. To support him, contact 1800 829 626.
