Just over two months on from setting a new Guinness World Record title at the TCS London Marathon, Ascot United Warriors and Special Olympics GB athlete Lloyd Martin has been named as a finalist in the prestigious 2024 GoCardless JustGiving Awards.
With public voting now open, 19-year-old Lloyd is a finalist in the Teen Fundraiser category after raising more than £18,000 for Special Olympics GB and Stepping Stones DS by becoming the youngest person with Down Syndrome to complete a marathon.
Vote for Lloyd
Speaking on his nomination, Lloyd said: “I feel honoured and excited. I love a party and I’m looking forward to celebrating with my family.
“I wanted to fulfil my ambition of running a marathon, just like my mum did and also to raise money to support the two charities that helped me achieve my goal.”
The panel of judges responsible for shortlisting Lloyd included, TV personality, Jake Quickenden, Strictly Come Dancing dancer, Amy Dowden, actor and presenter, Sunetra Sarker, award-winning British broadcaster, Adele Roberts, award-winning BBC Radio 1 presenter and DJ, Rickie Haywood-Williams and former Paralympian swimmer Ellie Simmonds OBE, award winning fundraiser Caroline Jones, MD of UK & Ireland and Chief Customer Officer at GoCardless, Pat Phelan and the President and General Manager of JustGiving, Pascale Harvie.
From more than 18,000 nominations, the judges had the tough job of shortlisting 21 inspiring finalists, three in each of the seven awards categories. There is also a Special Recognition Award, appointed by JustGiving, for an individual who has gone above and beyond to raise money and make a difference.
Pascale Harvie, President and General Manager of JustGiving said: “Lloyd is an absolute superstar.
“He has proven to the whole world that if you set your mind to something you can absolutely do it, and we cannot wait to celebrate with him at what will be our twelfth JustGiving awards ceremony in September.”
Lloyd, from Camberley in Surrey, set his Guinness World Records title at the TCS London Marathon with the support of his Mum Ceri, who had run six marathons previously, including setting a Welsh national record in the 2021 London Marathon in the Masters W50 category.
The eight winners will be announced at the ceremony which takes place at London’s Roundhouse on the evening of September 18th.