Running Slugs raise thousands of pounds for charities close to their hearts
A group of friends from Peterborough known as The Running Slugs have raised over £21,000, which they have shared between Sue Ryder and Cancer Research UK, in memory of family members who have died from cancer.
Last month, Simon Dalton, 38, Kyle Nolan, 39, Chris Daintith, 38, Gavin Cooke, 37 and Stephen Emsall, 37, completed the 4x4x48 challenge, running four miles every four hours, day and night, for 48 hours straight. To complete the feat in full, they added an extra lap to make it exactly two marathons in two days (52.44 miles).
Handing over an incredible £10,767 to Sue Ryder, they said: “We feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude for the unbelievable support we received, and immense pride for the amount we have raised for two amazing charities. The generosity shown has been remarkable.”
The group shared how hard the final stretch was: “It was tough, especially the last four or five runs through the second night, when we were at the point of crawling up and down the stairs. Getting our legs going again each time was quite the task! We, at best, got a total of four or five hours' sleep across the two days. But seeing friends and family dotted around the routes, cheering us on - even for the 2 am runs - made such a difference and gave us a much-needed lift every time.”
There may have only been five friends doing the full distance, but it was the whole community that made the event a success, with over 20 people joining them on the last leg to the finish line.
“We had some very black and blistered toes by the end, tired minds and sore legs, but it was worth every second to be able to honour the parents we've lost in our group, and for every life lost to cancer,” they added.
The money generously donated to Sue Ryder could fund 292 hours of care, so Sue Ryder doctors and nurses can manage patients’ pain and symptoms and make more space for a family’s final days to be filled with love. The group has also helped to fund a new PCR machine for Cancer Research UK for DNA analysis.
Morgan Hicks, Regional Fundraiser for Sue Ryder, said: “It’s thanks to people like the Running Slugs that we can continue to provide expert palliative and end-of-life care and grief support, offering hope, dignity and kindness when it matters most. Thank you Running Slugs for going the extra mile for Sue Ryder. What an achievement for which we are so grateful.”
To help Sue Ryder be alongside people through terminal illness, dying and grieving find out more about fundraising by contacting the Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice fundraising team on 01733 225 999 or email [email protected].