5,000 mile run by Kirklees librarian to raise funds for Kirkwood Hospice
In October 2015 Kirklees’ Library Development Manager Andy Wright took on the biggest challenge of his life, pledging to run 5,000 miles in 5 years as a long term fundraising effort for Kirkwood Hospice. This Saturday, Andy will complete the 5,000 miles two months ahead of schedule, running from Emley Moor to Castle Hill with a small group of friends.
Andy has promoted the work of the Hospice through his running and also his work as an Ambassador.
“I’m proud to be associated with Kirkwood an organisation which provides incredible compassionate support to families across Kirklees in their times of greatest need. I’ve learned so much about their work in encouraging their patients to live well, and as a resident of North Kirklees I’m particularly keen to ensure that information about the services provided by the Hospice reach those more under represented sections of the district”.
Global running
Over the duration of the challenge Andy has taken on a variety of running events including taking part in the biggest cross-country race in the world, the 30K Lidingoloppet in Stockholm, celebrated the 30th anniversary of the opening of the Hospice by running 30 miles in a day, competed in 5 marathons, completed over 80 half marathons, devised and run the Huddersfield Monopoly Marathon in 2019, and has racked up 149 park runs, including the worlds stickiest and warmest, Clermont in Florida.
“Discovering running about 10 years ago has had a massive positive effect on my own mental health, so taking on this challenge was a way of taking some responsibility for ensuring I kept at it.
1,000 miles per year averages out at just under 20 miles per week, I knew that was manageable as long as I stayed motivated, and setting myself up for this challenge, which took me from the end of my 40’s into my 50’s was exactly the incentive I needed.
I’m also passionate about getting other people interested in running, for both their physical and their mental health. For me there’s nothing better than getting out in the fresh air and completing a few miles early on a weekend morning either on my own or with friends, it gets the endorphins going, makes you feel good about yourself, and sets you up to enjoy the rest of your day”.
Help to fundraise
Andy has raised just under £10,000 over the course of the challenge through a combination of a regular sponsorship scheme and one off donations. He’d love to reach £10K before the challenge finishes in October. You can sponsor him by visiting Andy’s Just Giving page. You can also follow his challenge on Twitter and on Facebook.