A determined duo from Ashton have run across Manchester and back to raise money for a mental health charity.
Former boxer Lee Oldham, 33, and his brother-in-law Andy Heywood, also 33, ran from the town on February 21 all the way to Old Trafford and back, clocking up 21 and a half miles for local charity The Anthony Seddon Fund.
Even more impressively, the pair did it without any real training.
“We only had three weeks of planning for it so we didn’t exactly train at all,” said Lee.
“We both got to Old Trafford and felt good, we thought we’d paced ourselves.
“Coming back though was a nightmare, we were in pain.”
The most the pair had run before the event was 10km, so the undertaking came as a serious challenge.
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However, it’s something Lee said he felt they had to do.
“People I know have taken their own life due to mental health,” said Lee.
“It’s a serious issue and the fact the Anthony Seddon Fund is local and can help is something people should know about. We just wanted to make people aware and get more people knowing about it.
“I’ve always noticed in Ashton people stick together in times like this and we’ve been quite fortunate with the response.”
The duo have already raised £1,300 with their run to the home of Manchester United, something that would’ve pained die-hard City fan Andy.
Lee explained: “I’m a big United fan, but he’s a blue - the Etihad wasn’t far enough though.”
Despite the lack of training, Lee said that his previous life as a boxer helped carry him through.
“The hardest part of it was the mental side. I’m used to the discipline but I’ve been out of training for a while now, so while I’m not fit, I’m mentally strong.
“I knew I’d be fine though. On the run back it was more mental toughness, which is related to people who are struggling every day.
“I’d like to thank everyone who has donated or shared the post we put out and a big thank you to everyone at Anthony Seddon for everything that they do.”
Watch a video, by our photographer Nigel Wood, capturing Lee and Andy's challenge at the top of the page.
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