A MAN with little running experience is embarking on an epic 40-mile challenge this weekend in a bid to raise thousands of pounds for a three-year-old boy in his village.
Graham Laycock, 41, who is from Bishopthorpe but now lives in Rawcliffe in East Yorkshire, has only ever tackled a half marathon in the past but is aiming to run more than 60-kilometres from Bishopthorpe back to Rawcliffe to support the Noah Jack Appeal.
On Sunday (August 25) Graham will set off from the Marcia Inn in Bishopthorpe at 11am and he is aiming to make it back to the Jemmy Hirst pub in Rawcliffe six hours later at 5pm for a big fundraising night.
Along the route, Graham will pass through a range of villages including Naburn, Stillingfleet, Riccall, Barlby, Selby, Temple Hirst, Hirst Courtney and Snaith and he will be supported by a travelling army of cheerleaders who will be visiting pubs along the route aiming to generate additional funds.
He is running in aid Noah Jack, a three-year-old boy from the village who needs constant therapy sessions, hospital care and specialist equipment after suffering complications at birth.
The Noah Jack Appeal is currently attempting to raise £26,000 for a piece of equipment that will enable Noah to take his first steps.
Graham said: “I’ve not got a lot of running experience and, I have to confess, I’ve not done a great deal of training, but I am determined to complete this challenge for Noah.
“I’ve never run this distance before, but this is a really important cause and I wanted to do what I can to help Noah. It would be incredible to raise £5,000 but it’s important just to keep Noah in mind and keep the fundraising going.”
As part of the challenge, the Jemmy Hirst pub is staging a range of supporting fundraising activities, including a sweepstake on how many steps Graham will take, a fundraising barbecue and live music during the day and a special themed music quiz on the evening.
There will also be a minibus of supporters from the pub who will be travelling the route with Graham, cheering him along and visiting pubs along the route to raise awareness of the appeal and to generate extra funds.
Graham said: “I’m tackling this route as I grew up in Bishopthorpe and now live in Rawcliffe. The run is going to be a major challenge for me to overcome but its nothing compared to what Noah and his family have to achieve each day.
“I’m just hoping this will help them to get closer to their goal of raising enough money for an Innowalker and also help make more people aware of the appeal.
“I’m already getting lots of great support from the Jemmy Hirst pub and people in the village and I urge everyone to give what they can or to come and join the celebrations when I cross the finish line on Sunday evening.”
To learn more about Graham’s challenge and to make a donation to the Noah jack Appeal, please visit https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/graham-laycock
To learn more about the Noah Jack Appeal, visit https://just4children.org/noah-jacks-journey/
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