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I’ve decided to throw out a fundraising effort to help a friend and colleague (who really does need the help) as well as give me more motivation to succeed in a few challenges I’ve put on my calendar this year. I’m planning on three challenging ultra-runs in the next few months, culminating in the most famous of ultra’s, The Ultra Trail Mont Blanc in France on Aug 31st. People who know me, know that I’ve had my issues with set-backs and illnesses over the years, but I will not let that deter me in doing what I love best…. running in the great outdoors!!

I ask if you are willing and able, any donation no matter how big or small will make a big over-all difference to someone who has had their life forever changed! I’ve raised funds before for various efforts, and this one really does pull at my heart-strings because I know a little bit about life altering experiences and what it means to have support!

Events I’m doing for Ed this year:

09-Jun : Centurion South Downs Way 100 mile (from Winchester to Eastbourne) – my first 100 miler

30-Jun : Cotswold Way Challenge 100 km (from Bath to Cheltenham) – with Exchange Lab work team ‘Doin’ It for Ed’

31-Aug : UTMB 106 mile – France, Switzerland, and Italy – the ultimate challenge for the year!

About the Cause : ED HILL

Early in 2017, our colleague and friend, Ed Hill, suffered a tragic accident whilst playing football. As a passionate sports person, Ed has always been active with sports. But a simple fall has led to him being in hospital for most of 2017 and now needing constant care as he is on a long road of recovery.

The Exchange Lab, my employer as well as Ed’s, have moved all of their corporate fundraising efforts to raising money to support him and his family. In 2017, over £10K was raised through last-minute efforts and we have seen the huge difference that has made on his life – he was able to have a ramp built at his parent’s house in Bath so he could move around more easily. We are motivated more than ever to continue to help Ed and in 2018 we have ambitious goals to raise as much as we can to help Ed and his family. On June 30th, nearly 20 staff members are lining up in Bath, UK to do the challenging Cotswold Way Challenge. Some are running/walking 25 kilometres, some are doing 50 kilometres, and most are doing the 100 kilometre challenge in one day! I’ve obviously done several ultra’s myself, but each one is always a challenge, and it’s amazing to see most of my work colleagues doing this challenge without any previous experience with doing these distances. It will be an epic day – and Ed will be there to see us all off in Bath on the day!!

About Me:

Last year was my first year of doing ultra distances. I’ve been running since I was 10 years old, and have multiple marathons and half marathons under my belt. I used to be semi-competitive with a marathon PB of 2:45 and half marathon PB of 1:15. Last year I completed 4 ultra runs over 100 km each (some quite mountainous). Three of those events allowed me to qualify for the UTMB lottery. Not many people qualify for this event, let along win a place in the lottery. I lucked out and won a place to do the race on Aug 31st with my good friend and running buddy Wout Dispa. However, little did I know that shortly after I received the news of winning a place in Feb, I was struck down with a very bad pneumonia bug (not the first time for me as most know). I ended up in hospital for a month this time, and it’s taken well over another month for me to completely recover and start my training again. I’ve decided that even though I’ve had the set-back with training, I cannot let this opportunity go. I will give it my best shot to finish what many consider the toughest ultra in the world.