Olympic Torch beats London Marathon experience for MS Society fundraiser Rob Powell (From Hereford Times)

Olympic Torch beats London Marathon experience for MS Society fundraiser Rob Powell

7:30am Thursday 7th June 2012 in Sport

ROB Powell’s sporting achievements include running the London and the New York Marathons in the space of six weeks.

But nothing can top the experience of a 300-metre stroll through the centre of his home town.

That short journey through Hereford’s High Town did, however, have one special addition which set it aside from the ordinary — he was one of the select band chosen to carry the Olympic torch as it makes its journey around the country.

“To run through my home town was something really special and it made me feel really proud,” he said.

“The crowds were unbelievable and I felt that I was representing the city as well as, of course, the people with Mulitiple Sclerosis.”

And, it is his dedication to raising money for the MS Society which earned him the opportunity to carry the torch.

Powell’s wife Eunice was diagnosed with the disease some 11 years ago and that started him on his quest to raise money to benefit its sufferers.

“I’ve never really added up how much I have raised but it is over £40,000 and must be approaching £50,000,” he said.

“Just asking people to contribute something since I carried the torch has raised around £1,000.”

His run with the torch also produced one rather surreal moment for the regulars of a Herefordshire country pub.

“One of my neighbours, David Quinn, who is a clinical psychologist, also ran with the torch in Hereford,” said Powell.

“And on the day after, we went down to the Cottage of Content for a celebratory drink. It must have looked a bit unusual to see two Olympic torches in the bar.”

In the early days of his fundraising quest, he ran the London Marathon twice and travelled to New York to experience the 26-and-a-bit miles around the centre of the Big Apple.

“It was only six weeks after 9/11 and everyone was a bit on edge,” he recalled.

“The marathon travels over five bridges in New York and there were rumours that terrorists were going to blow one of them up.

“So we did run a little faster over the bridges,” he laughed.

“The crowds were unbelievable and I felt that I was representing the city as well as, of course, the people with Mulitiple Sclerosis.”

Knee problems curtailed his running escapades and he turned his attention to cycling, making the journey from Land’s End to John O’Groats as well as visiting 63 Football League clubs on another extensive journey around England.

“It was just after Hereford United were promoted back to the Football League and I visited all of the Premier League clubs and all the League Two clubs as well as some others I passed along the way,” he said.

“The highlight was calling at Sunderland on my way from Hartlepool to Newcastle.

“I met Niall Quinn — what a gentleman he is. He gave me £50 out of his own wallet for the fund on behalf of Sunderland.”

Powell’s enthusiasm for fundraising is matched by his passion for Hereford United and, with his pals from the Tupsley Whites, he rarely misses a game wherever the Bulls are playing.

“I was sorry that Richard O’Kelly left because we knew him and what he was capable of,” said Powell.

“But in Martin Foyle we now have a very experienced manager.

“I am forever optimistic and, while I can’t really speak for the other Tupsley Whites, we would probably still be following Hereford even if Mr Blobby was in charge.”

Before the new football season starts, however, he will be continuing his on-going love affair with cricket.

“I’m 60 this year and have played for Strollers for around 47 of them,” he said.

“We have now based ourselves at Fownhope where we are going to put down a grass wicket.

“Fownhope have been very welcoming and the club house is brilliant.

“And, as far as I am concerned, if I had a boat I could probably row to games from where I live, which is great after playing for years in Hereford, Ross and then Ledbury.”

Meanwhile, several schools have already been in touch about asking him to visit with the Olympic torch and he would be delighted to hear from more.

“I just asked for a contribution of 50p to the MS Society from any pupil who wanted to be pictured with the torch,” he said. “Any schools who would like me to visit can just drop me an email at rob.kilforge@ gmail.com and anyone else who would like to make a donation to the fund can visit uk.virginmoneygiving.com\robpowell1 and follow the links.”