Joe Bedford, of Farnley, has dedicated the last ten days over the festive period to run ten kilometres each day, raising vital funds for Cancer Research UK and the New Farnley Cricket Club junior section.
Every morning at 8:00am, Joe and his friends from the cricket club have set off walking, running and biking to ensure the challenge is completed. Their goal was to raise over £5,000 for the charities and they succeeded. Joe has kept raising the goal each time they reach a target but wants to keep it achievable.
In 2021, Joe ran nine kilometres over nine days and wanted to go one better this year. Joe told West Leeds Dispatch: “In 2021 I was raising money to buy a defibrillator for the cricket club and for the juniors. This time round my Father-In-Law has been terminally ill with Melanoma UK, it has been a real challenge. I’m not a massive runner but I wanted to do something that would help my mental capacity as well as physically.
“I started on 23 December which meant that I had to go out on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and finish on New Year’s Day. I fixed the time at 8:00am so that everybody knew and anyone could join.”
Cancer is a subject very close to Joe’s heart. Sadly, during the challenge Joe’s Father-In-Law, and well-known local man, Billy Sutherland, passed away
Joe could not believe the traction the challenge had gained, going from day one where five people joined, up to New Year’s Eve the group was now over 50 strong and included Joe’s children and wife (who still took part despite her recent loss).
Joe said “I lost my Father-In-Law on day seven, I found out at 6:30am in the morning and my wife was adamant that I go and run at 8:00am. This was really, really challenging but at the same time we got it done, for him. With Cancer Research UK, we just hope that people don’t have to go through what we have as it has been so difficult.”
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