Disney Half Marathon and Full Marathon on 7th January 2024.

Benjamin, Celina Brother and I, Celina Dad are supported by Geoffrey Margolis and his family are running the Orlando Half and Full Marathons.

Our inspiration and passion to run the Marathon is the memory of my beloved daughter Celina who passed away on 7th December 2017.

Our goal is to raise funds to support 10 young people with opportunity scholarships for the duration of their degree courses at Loughborough University. Every scholarship represents a student’s unaffordable £3,000 shortfall per year for the duration of a three or four year degree course. Benjamin attended Loughborough University and they have been very supportive and helpful.

We aim to raise £100,000. CEJCT has very kindly offered to match the donations up to £50,000. Therefore, we are inspired and confident that together we can raise £50,000, thereby doubling the impact of our donation.

Whatever we raise, all the funds go directly towards supporting a young person who would otherwise let this life-changing opportunity pass them by due to their current circumstances.

Many of our young people face barriers that prevent them from pursuing and / or remaining in education, and one significant factor among these challenges is pervasive poverty. Despite possessing the academic qualifications to gain admission to a top university, these young people are unlikely to take any opportunity because of a shortfall in their budget even with part-time work.

Celina had to withdraw from university after just one term to fight cancer. That experience was heartbreaking because in her brief period at university she fully immersed herself into university life, including all night study-sessions with fellow students to meet coursework deadlines, enjoying time with her flat mates and classmates, and so many more of life’s experiences that universities offer our young people.

Having left university to battle cancer, she remained positive, and as she put it “focused on life”. She accepted, without bitterness, that her life had to follow a different path. Hence, we have chosen the name “Celina’s Path” to signify her inspirational spirit and bravery in facing adversity with a charming spirit and smile. The University has graciously established a dedicated fund called “Celina’s Path Opportunity Scholarships”, which will serve as a repository for the donations.

We will work with Loughborough University, to identify and support young individuals, hailing from disadvantaged and impoverish backgrounds, who are bright enough to independently attain admission to the University but would not be able to afford to pay for the tuition fees plus living expenses, even with part-time work.

Six years after Celina’s passing, we still miss her so much, but her inspiring and positive spirit, friendship, love and cherished memories helps us through every time. We would like to extend this legacy to other young people thus empowering them to lift up their communities and contribute to the country’s prosperity.

Therefore, In remembrance of Celina’s brave and inspiring journey, we humbly ask for your support by donating to Loughborough University Opportunity Scholarships.

Your generosity will honor Celina’s memory by creating an opportunity for another young individual.