Entrepreneur returning to town to run 30 miles to help homeless
A FORMER pupil at Thomas Alleyne’s School in Uttoxeter is returning to the town to run 30 miles to raise money for a homeless charity this Christmas.
Anthony Greaves is looking to raise £1,000 for Shelter with his ultramarathon around Uttoxeter and South Derbyshire after finding his own fitness levels and mental health suffering due to a forced change in lifestyle during lockdown.
Setting up lifestyle store AT24 earlier this year funds from sales at the wellbeing platform will also go towards Shelter, which will help people finding themselves homeless or in need of support this Christmas.
On Wednesday, December 30, the entrepreneur will set off from Uttoxeter to run a total of 30 miles four miles over a traditional marathon – taking in the scenery of his former home town.
“I wanted to set myself a personal challenge to help Shelter,” said Anthony. “The work they do really makes a difference and this will help boost the funds already being raised as part of sales at AT24.”
Putting on 2.5 stone in weight during lockdown, the usually active sport fan set up AT24 to create a place where people could easily add in positive changes throughout their day which would help with physical and mental wellbeing as well as helping raise money for local charities.
Six months on the 36-year-old is now looking to take on two new staff to keep up with demand, with the aim of trebling sales next year, as the company expands its product range. Anthony, who will be running through Sudbury, Hatton and Doveridge as part of the challenge, said: “During lockdown I saw a change in activity and the constant working from home had a real impact on my levels of fitness and overall health. “I went from an active role to working 24/7 from home. My usual sporting activity was cut and I found myself putting on weight and feeling low from the lack of activity.
“It was then I came up with the concept of AT24. I realised how much of our health is connected to our lifestyles and I wanted to create an online platform that easily helped individuals to organise their lives and build in simple, healthier choices throughout the day.”
At24.co.uk organises products into morning, day and night, to sell a range of homewares designed to support a healthier lifestyle - with a percentage of profits each month going to good causes.
This year the company is supporting the charity Shelter, with director Anthony also carrying out a personal challenge of running a 30-mile ultramarathon at the end of the month. The aim is to raise £1000 for Shelter which supports people in the UK facing homelessness and unsafe housing. Last year the charity helped 10,400 homeless households find a safe place to live.
“Little changes in our lifestyle can make a big difference, not only to our health but those around us,” says Anthony, who also referees for Under 12s football matches.
“Sometimes it can be hard to see how we can adapt and improve things whether that is for our physical or mental health.
“AT24 breaks that all down and makes it easier to search for simple things that will make a big difference to our overall health and wellbeing.”
On December 30th Anthony will be running 30 miles – 4 miles over a traditional marathon – to raise money for Shelter– which will be added to the total from funds already raised through sales with AT24.
Information on how to sponsor Anthony’s ultramarathon challenge, is available at www.at24.co.uk or by going directly to the Justgiving page at https://www.justgiving.com/ fundraising/anthony-greaves2.