Paul Groom Takes on the 10in10 Charity Challenge
Everyone who knows the Groom Property Maintenance team, knows how much we like to get involved in community fundraising. And if you’ve met the boss Paul Groom, you’ll know how much he loves a challenge! Put the two together and you end up with our latest efforts to raise money for great causes supporting young people and NHS charities during the Coronavirus pandemic – the 10in10 challenge.
From Friday 8th May, Paul and his daughter Ffion will be taking part in local group the Welsh Coast Runners’ initiative to support club member and local running coach Gary Howells in his quest to run 10 marathons in 10 days on a treadmill for charity. Gary had hoped to run the gruelling Brathay 10in10 endurance race around Lake Windermere this year, but the Coronavirus outbreak has inevitably caused the event to be postponed. So instead, the ever-resourceful Gary decided to complete the challenge from the socially distanced safety of his home treadmill. All funds raised will go to the Brathay Trust’s After Coronavirus Ends Appeal and local NHS charities.
The inspired idea prompted fellow Welsh Coast Runners to join forces and support Gary’s fundraising efforts by completing their own personal 10in10s. Always one to get stuck in, our head honcho Paul has taken on the challenge of completing 10 half marathons in 10 days from the (relative) comfort of the treadmill in his garage.
An experienced runner, Paul was keen to support the group and get in some extra training, saying,
“It’s an amazing thing to be part of. Not only will it raise funds for a great cause, I’m using the event as good preparation for my Grand to Grand Ultra endurance challenge which I hope to do this September.”
(Because let’s face it, there’s nothing like running 10 half marathons in a row to prepare you for a 7-day, 171-mile race across the harsh desert terrain of the Grand Canyon! We did tell you he loves a challenge.)
If you’d like to lend your support to Gary, Paul and the rest of the Welsh Coast Runners, you can donate directly via Gary Howell’s Just Giving page, buy official 10in10 merchandise or, if you’re feeling energetic, you can even get involved yourself.
Whatever you can give will make a huge difference in helping people whose lives have been severely affected by the impact of the Coronavirus outbreak.
