Joel Hills, ITV News’ Business and Economics Editor is normally chasing answers and numbers but of late, he’s been running for a different reason – he’s getting ready to do the London marathon a week on Sunday
An ITV News journalist is running the London Marathon in memory of five colleagues and raising money to sponsor a journalism student at Cardiff University.
Business and Economics Editor Joel Hills said good journalists were needed now more than ever as he reflected on the work of “talented, kind and courageous” staff who inspired him to take on the 26.2 mile challenge.
Geoff Hill was Editor of ITV News and died aged 52 after being diagnosed with leukemia. Bernard Cole was Programme Editor of ITV News At Ten and died suddenly of a heart attack. Health and Science Editor Emily Morgan passed away after being diagnosed with lung cancer. Picture Editor and Media Manager Lim Ho died after a sudden illness. And Westminster Camera Operator and Video Editor Chris Knapman passed away with his family by his side after a short illness.
Joel Hills said each adored working in broadcasting and he wanted to help a budding journalist with “fire in their belly” get into the profession.
“Graduates from Cardiff’s School of Journalism, Media and Culture populate newsrooms across the UK,” Joel said.
“A Masters from Cardiff can be the first step in a wonderful career, I know because I trained there, but it is also a huge financial commitment,” he added.
Joel wants to raise £17,500 to cover the tuition fees and accommodation costs for a candidate with “curiosity and persistence” but is not in a position to fund such an opportunity themselves.
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