Man’s charity run inspired by act of kindness in car park

A MAN has been inspired by a woman’s random act of kindness at a Henley car park ticket machine to raise money for charity.

Richard Montgomery, 43, from Benson, will run the Norwich triathlon on Sunday to raise money for Thames Valley Air Ambulance.

He said: “I was doing this as a personal challenge initially. However, I was inspired to do it for charity following an encounter with a lovely lady at Henley station car park a couple of weeks ago.

“The card payment facility at the ticket machine was not working and I didn’t have the right amount of change so she offered me £2 so I could catch up with my family who had gone ahead. I politely refused but she was insistent and said it could be her ‘random act of kindness for the day’. I went to get change so I could pay her back but when I returned, she was not anywhere to be seen.

“Holding on to my two pounds and realising I probably would not be able to track her down, I decided to take the opportunity to turn the triathlon into a fundraising event for the air ambulance inspired by her act of kindness.

“A father of three in our village who had a biking accident used the air ambulance which I think made it feel all the more closer.

“He was able to be given the lifesaving critical care that he needed. You never know when you might need it or someone you know will. It was only quite recently I realised they were a charity — they do such amazing work.”

Mr Montgomery, an HR consultant whose parents live in Henley, will be supported by his wife Charlie and daughters Elodie, eight, and Madeline, 10.

He said: “I will be doing the event with my brother-in-law, who wanted to do something different as he’s a big runner but has never done a triathlon. I feel quite nervous but I’m sure it will be okay.”

To make a donation, visit www.just
giving.com/page/richard-montgomery-triathalon-for-tvaa