How do you top a fundraising skateboarding marathon? By running two half marathons and entering a strongman competition. On the same day...
Many of our fundraisers set themselves demanding physical challenges to encourage donations from their supporters: marathons, abseiling off Spinnaker Tower, daily running, 85-mile cycles…
But Charles Mears recently set the gruelling-bar high, by competing in South Coast Gym’s Lancing’s Strongest competition, sandwiched between two half marathons – even though he hates running.
Having completed a fundraising skateboard marathon and 2200 burpees challenge last year (https://www.westsussexmind.org/news/2020/charles-mears-set-himself-two-punishing-physical-challenges-to-raise-money-for-west-sussex-mind-here-he-describes-why-and-how), he wanted to find another way to fundraise for West Sussex Mind which challenged him both physically and mentally. And this year he’s also fundraising for Strongmen UK (https://www.strongmen.org.uk/), who helped him after the sudden death of a close friend last year.
Charles trained for months for this challenge – and it paid off:
1st half marathon – 2:10
Lancing’s Strongest – 3rd place
2nd half marathon – 2:28
Everyone at West Sussex Mind is in awe of Charles’ achievement and determination. And hugely grateful for everything he does in terms of raising awareness of mental health, as well as fundraising so we can continue to support local people.
Community Fundraising Lead Sarah Palmer ran with Charles in the morning and afternoon of his challenge. “I felt a bit pathetic, actually,” she said. “I only ran the equivalent of a half half marathon with Charles on Sunday. But I did have the privilege of seeing his absolute steely determination to finish, and the support he received from his amazing family and friends. Not to mention the fantastic sportsmanship at Lancing’s Strongest.”
Charles’ fundraising page is still open. You can donate here: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/woodpecker-wod-strongest-marathon.