19/03/2025
Romford Recorder sports editor Lee Power is running the London Marathon next month and looking to raise as much money as possible for the hospice which cared for his mum in her final days.
Lee joined the sports desk in October 1996 and has covered all kinds of sport in Havering now for over a quarter of a century, attending cricket, football, golf, hockey, ice hockey and rugby fixtures over the years, as well as the London Youth Games and London 2012 Olympics.
But the 50-year-old openly admits his own personal sporting achievements are fairly limited.
He said: "I won a couple of football medals at under-10 level, playing for Heron Park Athletic, and managed to score a hat-trick at Wanstead Flats for Essex Sunday Combination side Ever Ready TPC when I was 17 or 18.
"I got my golf handicap down to 17 about 25 years ago and managed a couple of half-centuries playing village cricket after moving to the Colchester area.
"And over the past five years I've enjoyed getting out and running 5ks, 10ks and a few longer runs near where I now live in Somerset, including a first half marathon at sub two hours!
"But I would say my bigger achievements have been from the press box, covering the London 2012 Olympics and reporting on FA Trophy and FA Vase wins for Hornchurch and Romford at Wembley in recent seasons.
"It has been a privilege to report on local sportsmen, women and clubs down the years and I'm thankful to all who have shared their stories in that time.
"Training for London has made me realise what athletes have to go through and I'm hoping to raise as much money as possible for the hospice that cared for mum, so other families can benefit from the care and support.
"Hopefully I can get round in one piece on April 27. And if that is sub 4hrs 30mins then all the better!"
To donate to Lee's fundraising campaign, visit
https://2025tcslondonmarathon.enthuse.com/pf/lee-power