A Newcastle-under-Lyme businessman will attempt to break a Guinness World Record when he takes on the TCS London Marathon in a mobile phone costume. 

Nick Holland, 44, will be completing the 26.2-mile race through the capital in fancy dress, to raise money for Caudwell Children, a Keele-based charity supporting disabled and neurodivergent children across the UK.  

Nick, who is Managing Director of Basford-based telecommunications company Complete Communications, is hoping to break the World Record for the fastest marathon in a mobile phone costume.

In order to beat the World Record, the a dad-of-three, will have to complete the Marathon in under 3 hours, 41 minutes, and 9 seconds. 

Nick explained why he chose the mobile phone costume for his big challenge: "Every year our family gets the Guinness World Records book.

"One night, I was reading it with my children and saw someone had run the Berlin Marathon wearing a mobile phone costume and thought, that aligns with the work I do and decided to give it a go!" 

Nick also explained that his wife Tracey, who previously ran the London Marathon to support Caudwell Children, is a big inspitation to him.

He added: "Tracey owns Martec Training, a business specialising in programmes for people with special educational needs and disabilities.

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"Inspired by her work, Tracey took on the London Marathon last year for Caudwell Children."   

Caudwell Children is a UK charity which provides practical and emotional support for disabled and neurodivergent children and young people, and their families.

Donations to the charity directly fund the services they provide including autism assessments, specialist equipment and funding, family support sessions, and occupational therapy.  

Nick explained that he is also taking inspiration from the founder of Caudwell Children, entrepreneur, business leader and philanthropist John Caudwell.  

He said: "I've a lot of admiration for John Caudwell and all he's achieved. I once saw him at a local soft play centre. He's very approachable and down to earth. I think that stems from him being a 'Stokie'.

"And considering what he used to do with Phones4U, I thought running the Marathon in a mobile costume aligned really nicely.

"Like John's philanthropy, I wanted to give back by running for the charity. I'm in a fortunate situation to be able to go out and help in this way, while raising funds to help disabled and neurodivergent children get the support they need locally, and across the UK." 

Kathryn Turner-Morgan, Challenges Manager at Caudwell Children said: "By taking on the world-famous London Marathon, Nick is not only pushing himself to the limit, he's also helping disabled and neurodivergent children reach their potential, and thrive. 

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"We're all the more impressed by his Guinness World Record attempt, and the unique costume will only serve to get people talking about Caudwell Children and help to raise awareness of our vital cause. We wish him the very best of luck!" 

To donate to Caudwell Children visit Nick's fundraising page here.

To find out more about running the TCS London Marathon for Caudwell Children, visit the website here.