Ex-soldier and actor all set for Jurassic coast challenge (From Dorset Echo)
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Ex-soldier and actor all set for Jurassic coast challenge
6:00pm Thursday 7th February 2013 in News By James Tourgout
TOUGH TASK: Tim Faraday and Phillip Russell
FORMER soldier Phil Russell will be tackling the heights of the Jurassic Coast to raise money for the charity and heart unit which helped his little girl.
He is stepping out for the 78-mile-long Jurassic Coast Challenge with actor pal Tim Faraday on March 22 to 24 in aid of the Families of Ocean Ward charity.
The charity helps youngsters, their families and the Ocean children’s heart unit at Southampton General Hospital. The unit has helped Phil’s seven-year-old daughter Mollie who suffers from a rare heart condition called tricuspid atresia.
Phil, 34, who now works as a Wessex Water engineer, said: “The charity is for all of the families.
“It helps buy equipment and support the families, especially if it is a long stay in hospital.”
Phil will also be tackling the Purbeck Marathon in September – effectively tackling three marathons in total mileage – and hopes to hit a £5,000 target.
Phil, who is from Poole, and Tim, from Fordingbridge, became friends when they both worked for the ambulance service.
They will run 78 miles from Charmouth to Sandbanks in the Jurassic Coast Challenge on March 22 to 24.
Phil, who was in the Royal Artillery for 13 years, said that Mollie is doing well and is due another operation later this year which he hopes will be her last.
Tim has appeared in various films and TV series. They include films the Gangs of New York, Snatch, the Land Girls and the Ghost Writer.
He also appeared in TV series Primeval, the Bill, Casualty, Peep Show, the Inbetweeners, EastEnders and many others.
Tim said the daughter of another friend had been helped by the Ocean Ward as well as Mollie.
He added: “I have a daughter who is five.
“We are very lucky that she is healthy.
“If she wasn’t I would be pulling out all of the stops to help her.”
Visit website justgiving.com /phillip-russell1 to help them hit the £5,000 mark.
THE Families of Ocean Ward is a parent-led charity supporting children with heart conditions and their families that have been or are treated on Ocean Ward, Southampton General Hospital.
It offers hardship grants, equipment for use by families on the ward and at home, and social events to support children and families.
