Greenfield Fundraiser Takes On Pennine Way Challenge
David Couch
A Saddleworth man is beginning an epic charity challenge, with the target of running the length of the Pennine Way in ten days.
David Couch from Greenfield is raising money for Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research.
It’s a personal cause for him, as nine years ago David was himself diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma. He recovered after a course of chemotherapy and radiotherapy at the Royal Marsden in west London.
He said: “I’ve done half marathons in the past, and the London marathon ten years ago. I’d always thought I wanted to do something else, and I thought if I’m going to do something, I may as well make it spectacular!”
He added: “Living here, and with the Pennine Way virtually going past the door, I got the idea. But I suppose I’ve talked my way into it, and it’s only when you get down to doing the detailed planning that you realise it’s really quite a long way.”
It certainly is a long way. The Pennine Way stretches 268 miles from Derbyshire to the Scottish Borders, meaning David will be running the equivalent of a marathon off-road every day.
He admitted to not being an “out and out runner” but said he had been doing training runs each week to prepare for the challenge. He’s starting his quest today at Edale, and is hoping to reach the finish at Kirk Yetholm next weekend.
David’s hoping to raise £5,000, and has already gone well past halfway towards that target. You can donate by visiting his JustGiving page here.
If you’d like to know more about the work of Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research, visit their website here.
Author: Jude Gidney - Editor
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