A man who challenged himself to run up a mountain twice has completed the feat in support of a hospice close to his heart.
Ian Newell, from Worcester, finished the gruelling Fan Dance challenge in under four hours to raise £977 for St Richard’s Hospice.
The challenge saw the 42-year-old run a 24-kilometre route, climbing the 2,907ft Pen y Fan mountain in Wales not once – but twice.
He was running in memory of a family member and friend who were both cared for by the hospice.
“It was a truly awesome, inspiring, humbling and, at the end, emotional experience that pushed me well beyond what I thought I was capable of and that heat was something else,” said Mr Newell, who lives in Droitwich.
“Thank you to everyone that sponsored me and gave me that little extra motivation when I needed it most.”
The challenge, which took place in June, saw him ascend the peak – the highest in south Wales – before descending and returning the same way. The Fan Dance is famed for forming part of the SAS selection process.
Mr Newell said: “St Richard’s Hospice provided the most amazing end of life care for my wife’s gran at her home and also for our friend at the hospice itself, both who sadly passed away last year,” he explained.
“I want other families to be able to receive the same free care we did at the time when you most need it and that can only happen through donations and fundraising, so here I am.”
Alison Parkes, a fundraiser at St Richard’s Hospice, said: “We are blown away by Ian’s incredible achievement in support of St Richard’s.
“To take on such a tough challenge while raising a fantastic amount for our care is inspiring. On behalf of all of us at the hospice, a huge ‘thank you’ to Ian for all his hard work.”
To donate to Mr Newell, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ian-newell5
St Richard’s Hospice cares for adults with a serious progressive illness, improving their quality of life from diagnosis, during treatment and to their last days. It also supports their loved ones.
Each year the hospice team supports more than 3,300 patients, family members and bereaved people in Worcestershire.
St Richard’s is an independent charity and relies on donations and gifts in Wills for the majority of its income with 22% funded by the NHS.
The hospice is also raising funds for the Build 2020 Appeal and is part way through developing a bigger hospice, enabling more patients and families to be cared for in Worcestershire. The total cost for expanding and redeveloping the existing building in Wildwood Drive, Worcester, is £5.3m.