Charity chief executive Andy Bush is training to run seven marathons in seven days to help The Gingerbread Centre.
Keen runner Andy has planned the Coast to Coast challenge to mark his 50th birthday.
The marathon will start when Andy dips his toe in the sea at St Bees, Cumbria, on Sunday, 26 May.
Seven days and 192 miles later, Andy plans to arrive at Robin Hood’s Bay, North Yorkshire accompanied by supporters and staff who are completing the last seven miles of the trek as a sponsored walk.
Andy is no stranger to long distance running, completing more than 100 marathons and competing in day long ultra marathons.
And he has been training by running to his office in Normacot, Stoke-on-Trent from home at Shavington, Crewe.
Andy said: “I am a keen runner but this is the first time that I have attempted marathons day after day.
“I wanted to complete the Coast to Coast as both a personal challenge to mark my 50th birthday and to help The Gingerbread Centre. Times are tough for all charities at the moment and we are all looking at innovative ways of raising extra funding.”
Andy has launched an appeal to win seven corporate sponsors to sponsor each day of the challenge.
He is also appealing for donations from the public and has a Just Giving page at www.justgiving.com/Andy-Bush
Together with friends and family, the charity’s Gingerbread man mascot will be on St Bees beach to wave Andy on his way.
The route is a popular one with walkers having been documented by fell walker and author Alfred Wainwright. It rises to 2560 feet at Kidsty Pike and at times Andy’s progress will be reduced to walking pace by the harsh terrain.
ENDS
For media enquires contact Nigel Howle on 0776 29043436 or email [email protected]
Notes to Editors:
If you would like to support this fundraising effort you can: –
Donate by Text: to The Gingerbread Centre by texting GMAN 92 followed by £ the amount you wish to donate to 70070
Donate Online: simply log on to www.c2cgbc.co.uk and click on the Donate Button or www.justgiving.com/Andy-Bush