Psychology professor's lectures running to time
Posted on 21 February 2006
For the 55-year-old former president of the British Neuropsychological Society is lecturing in running gear - to encourage students to sponsor him in his first Flora London Marathon. Andy, who confesses to taking up running only after "almost 30 years of complete physical inactivity", is taking part in the race to raise money for the Stroke Association, one of the event's sponsors. He has been chosen to join four-times Olympic Gold Medallist Sir Matthew Pinsent's Flora pro.activ Marathon Challenge Team, which features 30 first-time marathon runners.If I can manage to complete the marathon, it proves that many others can too
Professor Andy Young
He said: "My career in neuropsychology has involved studying the effects of brain injury, including strokes. I thought it would be good to run on behalf of the many brain-injured people who have helped my research."
Andy was egged on by his wife Mavis to take up running and has completed two Great North Runs for Action Medical Research. His training for the London Marathon includes regular sessions with his team-mates and Sir Matthew, and a weblog of training progress at The Times Online website.
"As a thoroughly academic, non-sporty, overweight and mildly disabled person - I have a congenital deformity of the left hand - running has given a huge boost to my physical confidence. When I started I was so unfit that I literally could not run for a bus. If I can manage to complete the marathon, it proves that many others can too," he said. Sir Matthew added: "We are running for two very important motivating reasons: to raise money for a worthy charity, The Stroke Association, and to encourage others to lead healthier lifestyles."
Notes to editors:
- Photocall: 12 noon 27 February 2006. Andy Young lectures in running gear. Room B020, Block B, Department of Psychology, University of York. Meet in Psychology Reception 11.45am.
- More information on the Stroke Association is available at www.stroke.org.uk/about_us/
- For more information on the Flora pro.activ team, contact Lorna Alexander or Jemma Holliday ktb PR and Event Management on 0207 924 7214 or email lorna@ktbpr.com or jemma@ktbpr.com
- You can sponsor Andy Young by sending a donation to him at Department of Psychology, University of York, YO10 5DD, or online at www.justgiving.com/andy_young
- There is a weblog of his training progress at timesonline.typepad.com/london_marathon_weblog/andy_young/index.html
- Photographs of Andy Young and Sir Matthew Pinsent in training together are available from David Garner 01904 432153.More information on the department of Psychology at the University of York is available at www.york.ac.uk/depts/psych/www/about/