Retiree Roger Head from Poole, Dorset, recently competed in the British Masters National Championships in Derby this summer where he achieved not just one medal but two silver medals competing in the 1500 metres in his age group and then repeating the feat in the 800 metres.
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A lifelong runner for school, club and county in his youth, Roger has continued to train hard and compete throughout his life, and attributes much of his success to living the Word of Wisdom, a health code for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, since his baptism at the age of twenty-three in Worcester.
Roger's enthusiasm for all sports, especially athletics, was recognised and put to good use in his Church service when for many years he served as Regional Sports Director in London and the south east area where he organised many successful regional athletic meetings together with other regional sports events such as swimming galas, indoor sports and tennis tournaments.
He says that he will continue to run for as long as he is able, as he believes that it keeps one fit for day to day living and that he is far better equipped to function in serving the Lord as a result.
Roger and his wife are hoping to serve another mission for the Church in the near future after a highly satisfying Church Educational Service mission in Birmingham between 2005 – 07. This was such a wonderful highlight in their lives. They served under two mission presidents, met three Apostles and made enduring and eternal friendships in the Birmingham, Coventry and Lichfield areas, where they taught Institute and Seminary lessons in addition to organising family home evenings, firesides and sporting events. The ongoing contact they still have with their erstwhile students continues the joy they felt when serving them in the mission field. Roger Head says that to meet, shake hands with and have three Apostles look them in the eyes were spiritually uplifting moments never to be forgotten.
Roger and Moira are currently serving as Stake Executive Secretary and Stake Relief Society President in the Poole area and are currently being trained as ordinance workers in the London Temple.
Roger comments that “the gospel of Jesus Christ is a wonderful way of life, full of spiritual and uplifting experiences, bringing wonderful people into one’s life and holding out the promise of eternal blessings and relationships, if one is true and faithful to one’s covenants”. He fully intends to keep as fit as he can in order to serve the Saviour to the best of his ability.