Ryan’s marathon effort for the NHS
FORMER Wales skipper Ryan Jones has run a marathon in his back garden to raise thousands for the NHS.
In a time of 4 hours 43 minutes and 57 seconds, the ex-back rower completed an estimated 700 lengths of his garden on Saturday afternoon.
Jones had hoped to raise £500 Swansea Bay University Health Board but by the time he’d completed the marathon, he’d raised in excess of £5,000.
“Thank you to everyone who’s messaged and donated – you are all amazing. I couldn’t have done it without you,” he tweeted after finishing.
“To all those people within the NHS THANK YOU.
“To everyone, the only limits you have are the ones you set yourself.”
Jones earned 75 caps for his country, a Grand Slam and three Lions caps against New Zealand in 2005,. He is now the WRU’s performance director, making him one of the most powerful men in the game in Wales.
Before taking on the challenge, he said: “Like many I am confined to my home and as this situation plays out before me, I am just amazed at the strength of the human spirit and the generosity of so many.
“Those giving of their time not because it’s a job but because they care, those putting the risk to their own health to one side because they care, you truly are an inspiration and I just wanted to try and support you!
“I can’t do a lot and I certainly haven’t really thought this one through: I’m hoping I can raise £500 for my local NHS trust by running a marathon in my garden this Saturday – I think it’s in the region of 700 lengths.”
You can donate to his JustGiving page at www. justgiving.com/fundraising/ ryan-jones72.