Intrepid duo to hit streets in effort to raise cash
AN ENERGETIC fundraiser will embark upon his latest challenge as he bids to run 100 miles for Comic Relief.
Mark Whitwood, from Bollington, will cover the distance within 24 hours starting on Thursday, March 14.
He will be joined by work pal Hugh Sugden and together they will go from Loughborough University to Maghull, Liverpool.
The half way point will be the Tytherington Club, which the duo are planning to reach at around 10pm on Thursday for a rest stop.
The club will help with fundraising and put on pizzas for the occasion.
Mark, 43, set up Active Sports
Group, his children’s activity business, nearly 20 years ago.
He said: “Our organisation works with young people so we can see that Red Nose Day has an impact. So it fits well and is a fun day that kids enjoy.
“We’re probably a bit mad doing this, we like a challenge but this is a hell of a one. We’ve been training for five or six months, we’re looking forward to it – a bit nervous but we’ve got a great support team.”
Loughborough was chosen as the start point as it is a major centre for UK sport. And Maghull is the finish line as this is where Active Sports Group’s head office is.
It is not the first time the duo have
stepped up to raise money – in 2021 they were both part of a six-strong team that took on the UK’s longest triathlon. This included climbing of Ben Nevis, in Scotland; Scafell Pike, in England; and Snowdon, in Wales; and cycling between all three.
In each location there was 1.2-mile open water swims at Glen Finnan, Ullswater and Surf Snowdonia.
Mark, who is married with three daughters, was bitten by the fundraising bug during lockdown, inspired by former rugby league star Kevin Sinfield
campaigning for motor neurone disease.
This week the total raised for his latest challenge stood at more than £600.
To donate visit www.justgiving. com/fundraising/rnd24-activesports-group.