'I didn't think it was possible': Scaffolder tackles epic 860-mile charity run for Amelia-Mae Foundation
An inspirational man is running the length of the country for charity
An extraordinary scaffolder is pushing himself to the limit as he embarks on a mammoth charity run spanning the length of the country.
Charlie Chandler, from Portsmouth, has spent the past year meticulously planning an 860-mile run from John O’Groats to Land’s End to raise money for the Amelia-Mae Foundation.
The 34-year-old, who commenced the challenge on Sunday, May 10, is running the equivalent of two marathons a day, and has already raised £7,000 for the charity which supports families impacted by Neuroblastoma.
Andy Bowie, deputy chair of the foundation, has supported Charlie through the planning process, and is currently following his route in his motorhome.
He said: “I met Charlie through the charity. He got involved with us five years ago when he completed the three peaks challenge with us. He’s been fundraising ever since.
“He rang me last year and said ‘I’ve got this wild idea and I don’t even know if it’s possible’. I’ve spent the last year planning it for him and plotting out breaks every ten miles, which is where we give him food and drink.
“It is going well. The first few days were what he would call ‘easy’ but yesterday was a bit of a hard one. Coming down the hills hurt more than going up them so there was pain on the knees - We finished about six miles early but we’ll make it up.
“We’ve had amazing support from Tyson Fury and Robbie Fowler - It’s quite emotional, there may have already been tears. I never thought anyone would do something like this for us. I didn’t even think it would be possible.”
As part of his fundraiser, Charlie has already faced multiple challenges including dead end or blocked roads, dual carriageway running and gruelling hills - and he still has over a week to go, with the run expected to finish the challenge on Sunday, May 24.
Charlie’s mum, Victoria Giles, said: “I’m speechless that he’s doing it. He has done lots of fundraisers in the past. He’s gone to the Himalayas and climbed a mountain, he’s done Ben Nevis, the Seven Peaks - He’s amazing and I just want the whole world to know.
“I just can’t imagine what he is putting himself through, I’m so proud of him. My heart is bursting with pride because of what he’s doing.
“He’s doing roughly 54 miles a day. I spoke to him on the phone and, bless him, he’s struggling. He’s got shin splints and swollen feet but he is just carrying on.”
The foundation was established in memory of Amelia-Mae - a two-year-old who was diagnosed with stage 4 neuroblastoma in September 2012 before sadly dying ten months later. The charity not only supports families impacted by the disease but it also has two holiday homes - one in Chichester and one Rhyl - to give people the chance to make memories with their loved ones.