Friends run 50k to raise money for charity

If you finished the Chichester 10k and thought enough was enough, then stand back and admire the efforts of Matt Hopkins, Dean Chant, Danny Bailey and Dave Holcombe.
By The Newsroom
Published 2nd Mar 2011, 06:20 BST
Updated 7th Jun 2018, 18:16 BST

They are doing five 10k runs a week for four weeks, with the aim of clocking up 200 kilometres for the month of February.

Dean explains: “We are running to raise funds to buy equipment for the Another Hope Children’s home in Uganda.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Thanks to West Sussex-based funding, the orphanage will shortly be employing a full-time nurse to look after the 60 children they care for.

“But they need equipment and supplies.

“Another Hope is a non-governmental, not-for-profit organisation. It was set up in 2005 with the aim of helping the orphaned, poor and impoverished children of the Nansana District of Kampala, Uganda.

“My friends Matt and Bec Hopkins volunteered there for 12 weeks in early 2010, returning for two weeks in September 2010.

They are currently applying for funding for a Ugandan registered nurse to live on site.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Funds raised by this event will be going towards nursing equipment and supplies.”

All four of the runners live and work in Bognor and Chichester – though it’s not often possible to run together, explains Matt, who ran home from work the other day to discover he was a kilometre short and had to hare off around the block.

“I work shifts. I am in the ambulance service. So we are keeping separate tallies. But we are all being quite strict.

“We did the Chichester 10k together and we met up last week to run together as well. It’s getting easier as you go along. We used to run a little bit before.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“We were all relatively fit, but not extremely fit. A lot of people would find this really easy training, but we are not super-athletes.”

Matt is certainly feeling the benefits though. “The weight is falling off me. I am beanpole pretty much, but I find I am eating a lot and sleeping incredibly well!

“We might end up keeping running. I would like to enter a marathon some time. I would like to go for London or possibly Brighton.”

To support the four runners’ efforts, you can donate through www.200kin30days.co.uk or visit http://www.facebook.com/pages/200k-in-30-days/123582454381484

Related topics:Uganda