My 2,013-mile run to honour hospice (From Worcester News)

My 2,013-mile run to honour hospice

1:50pm Saturday 9th March 2013 in News By Freya Leng

A FATHER-of-two is embarking on a challenge of a lifetime – to run 2,013 miles to raise £2,013 for charity.

It is a special year for Andrew Graham, aged 49, of Grayling Close, Broomhall, Worcester, who is hoping to raise the money for St Richard’s Hospice by his 50th birthday on August 28.

Mr Graham, who owns a consultancy business, recovered from throat and mouth cancer in 2007 after battling it for five years.

The charity, in Wildwood Drive, Worcester, where he is now a volunteer, also cared for a close family friend of his, Sadie Lewis, who died last December from breast cancer.

“I want to do something for people who care for others,” he said.

“I’ve experience of what they do for people in the past. It’s a caring charity. I think they give a lot back to people to enable them to spend the last few months of their treatment in a relaxing environment. I know whatever is raised in memory of Sadie will go towards support for the family network.”

Since starting his impressive feat on January 1, Mr Graham has already clocked up 450 miles by running ultra-marathons – including the 46-mile Green Man Ultra Marathon which he ran on Saturday in Bristol.

He is hoping to raise £2,013 for that race alone for the Rifles Regimental Trust’s Care for Casualties appeal in a separate fund-raising initiative.

The fitness fanatic is regularly seen pounding the streets of Worcester running to the gym every day and completes 30-mile runs at the weekends.

“Running is quite relaxing, quite therapeutic,” he said.

“The more you prepare for it you give yourself the best chance to achieve it. It started off as hard work but it’s now become something you miss if you don’t do it.”

Mr Graham has already raised £600 towards his target for St Richard’s and is half way to raising £2,013 for Care for Casualties. To donate, visit justgiving.com/ andrew-graham7.