'Team Norwich City' explain what has inspired them to compete this Sunday

A trio of runners representing The Community Sports Foundation will be among the 35,000 that pound the streets of the capital this weekend, in the Virgin Money London Marathon.

Club employees Lewis Plowman and Ed Guichard, join former football pro Lewis Blois to make up ‘Team Norwich City’, who are fundraising for the Foundation’s work with disadvantaged and disabled people in Norfolk.

Plowman, 22, is a Football Development Coordinator with the Foundation, but it was the experience from his previous role, as Disability Coordinator, that has inspired him to take part in the marathon as part of the team.

“I was part of our disability programme for 18 months before I moved into my current role; we delivered various sports and personal development activities to people with a range of disabilities.

“It was a brilliant feeling to have such a direct impact on people and to see the effect we had on them and their families.”

The programme is an arm of the Foundation that relies heavily on fundraising, and the team have set up a Virgin Money Giving page for donations that has reached £3,000 so far.

The Club’s Head of marketing Ed Guichard has been impressed with the Foundation since his arrival:

“The staff have so much passion for what they do and the whole set up is a real credit to the football club, and the game in general. Having worked at and with other clubs in my career, it’s fair to say that CSF is without doubt one of the best out there.

“I am incredibly proud to be involved and doing everything I can to contribute to their fantastic work.”

The team’s fundraising has received additional support from the Norwich City Fans’ Social Club, who held a quiz night at Carrow Road, which was hosted by Darren Eadie and saw 26 teams pack out the Top of the Terrace lounge.

It’s not the first time that the Foundation has entered a team of runners: former Canaries Iwan Roberts and Adam Drury, and Chief Executive David McNally, have each completed the 26.2 mile course in aid of the Foundation in previous years.