A Bath singer has set his sights on running the London Marathon in memory of a fellow choir member.
Simon Kale (aged 48) sings in both the Bath Male Choir and the mixed-voice Bath Chorus. Tony Pickett, who lived in Frome, was a fellow member of both choirs with Simon for many years.
Last July, Tony died after suffering a heart attack whilst out cycling. In his early sixties, Tony had recently retired and fifty members of Bath Male Choir attended his funeral to sing in his memory.
Simon explains: “Grenville Jones, our choir leader, approached Tony’s partner explaining that the boys in the Male Choir wanted to support a charity in his memory this year. She suggested the British Heart Foundation, and we were able to obtain a place in this year’s London Marathon. I’m now in full training, which will include running the Bath Half Marathon, and there is already fantastic support through members of both choirs, family and friends, as I aim to cross the finishing line on Sunday, 23rd April and raise at least £2,000 for the British Heart Foundation.”
Simon is Managing Director of Nicholas Pearson Associates and lives at Oldfield Park, with his wife, Heather and three children, Hamish, Alfie and Lucy.
Grenville Jones said: “Tony was a much loved member of both choirs and sang in the bass section for many years. His sudden death came as a tremendous shock to all who knew him. I am sure that all his friends in both choirs will support Simon in his London Marathon run.”
Details of Simon’s JustGiving page can be found at: www.bathmalechoir.org