A FOOTBALLER from Emersons Green has run 5km a day for a month to raise money for a children’s charity.
Dan Dyke, who is a left-back for Paulton Rovers ran through driving rain, wind and plunging temperatures during November to raise more than £1,600 for Children’s Hospice South West.
Dan, who is also a teacher running the educational programme at Chippenham Town Football Club, had only ever completed a 5k run occasionally as part of his football training.
He said: “I’m not a keen runner to be fair. Up until this challenge, I’d not done a 5k for around a year.
“I did a variety of different routes every day, but liked the ones that went down hills the best.
“It’s been pretty gruelling at times with the weather. Some days it was freezing, so I really had to wrap up.”
Dan fitted in his daily runs either before or after his work in Chippenham, and has seen his times improve rapidly.
He said: “When I first started it was taking me 30 minutes, but now I’m down to 22, which is great.”
Dan was inspired to raise money for CHSW after a friend’s nephew was supported by the charity.
He said: “They spoke so highly about the charity and the work it had done to support their nephew it inspired me to raise money as part of the challenge.”
Dan originally set himself a target of raising £750 more than doubled it over the course of the month.
He said: “It has been hard work running 5k every day for a month – and it’s something my football coach is keen for me to continue.
“I do want to keep it up but I won’t be doing one a day, every day!”
CHSW Bristol area fundraiser Amanda Leonard said: “Dan has been a true inspiration and a great ambassador for the Children’s Hospice South West.
“Not only has he raised an incredible amount of sponsorship but he was also determined to do something that has brought him out of his comfort zone, all while raising awareness of our work.
“Dan has raised enough money to fund a whole family stay at Charlton Farm over Christmas, when families going through the most challenging times can make special memories together and be looked after in comfort.
“With a New Year around the corner many people start looking for new challenges and we’d urge them to get in touch about how they can support us.”
Anyone who would like to take on a challenge in the New Year should email amanda.leonard@chsw.co.uk.