News / Pharmacist to run the length of the UK to raise funds for hospice
RUNNING a marathon may well be on the list of ‘things to do’ for quite a few people, but completing the even longer distance of 36 miles every day for six weeks certainty isn’t.
Locum pharmacist Faith Addison, who currently works in Lerwick, is about to set off to achieve exactly that as she runs the length of the UK – and, while the task ahead sounds daunting, she is also very much looking forward to the challenge.
Raising funds for the Gloucestershire-based Longfield Hospice as well as national charity Parkinson’s UK, the 34-year-old will put on her running shoes at Skaw, the UK’s most northerly settlement at the tip of Unst, on Sunday morning.
Addison, originally from Stroud, is confident she will complete her 1,500 miles long Great British Run to Land’s End in as little as six weeks.
She has chosen a scenic route through the UK, using a number of long-distance walking routes, which will inevitably take her over some rough ground, particularly in Scotland.
“I think the Cape Wrath trail is going to be the hardest off road trail that I will be doing on the trip,” she said, “but I can’t wait until I can sleep at wonderful Sandwood Bay. I am really looking forward to that night.”
The athlete said she was well aware that it is not going to be an easy challenge, but she believes it will be worth the effort.
She aims to raise £3,000 for the hospice, which is looking after her godfather Larry Leighton, who is suffering from Parkinson’s disease.
“A few months ago having seen my godfather’s rapid deterioration in his Parkinson’s disease he wanted me to do something for him and I asked him what charity he would like me to run for.
“I had in the back of my mind that I wanted run the length of the British Isles and a little while later he said the Longfield Hospice where he is being cared for in Gloucestershire is what he would like me to run for.”
Addison is attempting to complete the challenge completely unsupported and will be carrying a tent, a sleeping bag, one set of clothes for changing and sufficient food to last until the next shop.
She can be supported through donations at: https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-display/showROFundraiserPage?userUrl=FaithAddison&pageUrl=1
Updates of her progress will regularly be posted an her Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/f.e.addison
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