Putney Policeman Finishes Six Day Marathon
AKA Mr Gorilla crawled his way over 26.2 miles to raise funds for the Gorilla Organisation
Mr Gorilla receives encouragement from his infant gorillas
Alex 4 and Nicholas 6
Usually seen in his Metropolitan police uniform, Tom Harrison, left that in the wardrobe and donned his Gorilla suit on Sunday 23 April to join almost 50,000 athletes at the start line of the 37th London Marathon - but unlike his fellow competitors Mr Gorilla was not going for speed - he was on his hands and knees for most of the way.
Even a gorilla needs to take a call and enjoy the view
The
41-year-old spent an average 8-10 hours covering about 4.5 miles each day before collapsing at night. To prevent his knees from blistering, he swapped between hands and knees to to loping along on hands and feet and took breaks every 100 to 200 metres, beating his chest for the last 10 metres!
The Gorilla Organization works to protect endangered gorillas in their native habitat. It also works to ensure that local people benefit from their unique natural heritage and works with the local people to make them self sufficient so the don't need to take wood or hunt in the forests where Gorillas live. The Organization, founded by the late Dian Fossey, is involved in education, conservation and public awareness.
Celebrating his marathon effort, the Gorilla Organization’s Executive Director Jillian Miller credited Mr Gorilla with inspiring thousands through his dedication to conservation: "He's just this incredible personality who seems to me to be absolutely fearless, but he loves the gorillas," she said. I thought he was mad at first, but you know when Tom sets his heart to do something, he absolutely does it."
Getting 'Goddie' support from conservationist Bill Oddie
This is not Mr Gorilla's first Marathon, last year he ran the London Marathon in his Gorilla suit and has also taken on the Great Gorilla Run and Tough Mudder.
Mr Gorilla aimed to raise around £1,500 for the Gorilla Organization’, currently the figure raised is over £39,000. And this is not the end ...... Mr Gorilla has reported to us that he: "I am amazed by the amount I raised. It means so much to a small charity like the Gorilla Organisation. Mr Gorilla hopes to appear in another adventure soon. He will be taking a break until Ride London on 30 July when he will be on a bike cycling 100 miles around London".
To make a donation please go to
www.justgiving.com/Mr-Gorilla
May 5, 2017