A Westbury man is taking on a range of challenges in 2017 in aid of Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW), and will be hoping to set a world record at the London Marathon in April.
Martin Pearce is aiming to smash some personal challenges during his 50th birthday year as well as raise a significant amount of funds for CHSW, whose local hospice for Bath and West Wiltshire – Charlton Farm – is celebrating its 10th birthday this year.
The first challenge is to take on the Virgin London Marathon in April.
Although it’s not just a case of completing it; Martin is looking to break the Guinness World Record for the fastest Marathon dressed in a shoe!
The design of the shoe was the result of a competition at Charlton Farm.
Martin said “I wanted the children, siblings and their families to be involved in my challenges and I was stumped for a design, so CHSW arranged a colouring competition for the children to design the costume.”
‘Shoeperman’, as he is now known, will be getting his first outing at the Longleat 10k which will be followed up by the Bath Half Marathon in March as part of the training for the Virgin London Marathon.
The second major challenge will be the Race to the King in June, which is a 53 mile trail run from Arundel in Sussex and finishing at Winchester in Hampshire. The third challenge will be the Wiltshire Big Wheel, a 100 mile bike ride in September.
Martin said, “I raise funds for a charity most years and this year I wanted a charity that was local, would benefit children and also where I could really see the effect the money raised was having.
“I have a colleague who has benefited from the support at Charlton Farm and following a tour I can really see that the fantastic work carried out for the whole family of children who stay at the hospice.”
Emily Mitchard, community fundraiser at CHSW said, “It’s been wonderful working alongside Martin, showing him round Charlton Farm, being involved in the colouring competition and keeping track of his training via his blog.
“The children loved designing his running shoe and can’t wait to see Shoeperman in action. What a very special way to celebrate his own 50th birthday as well as Charlton Farm’s 10th birthday!”
If you see Shoeperman training around Westbury and the surrounding area during 2017, give him a wave and a cheer! You can also show your support online at http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/ShoeperMan
