A Hemyock man will run, cycle and kayak a gruelling 105 miles in a Scottish coast to coast race from Nairn to Glencoe for children with disabilities.
Private airline steward Chris Kenny, 34, will swap his polished shoes, suit, collar and tie for running gear and trainers. He expects to be covered in mud, head to toe, in no time on a demanding course that’s goes off-road heading into some stunning Scottish scenery on September 12 and 13.
All the monies raised by Chris, who has targeted the sum of £1,000, will go directly to Sam’s Legacy to help children with disabilities in Devon. Launched last October by leading UK children’s disability charity Newlife Foundation with the support of the Allen family from Hemyock. Newlife had supported their teenage son Sam through provision of a mobility scooter so he could get around as he fought a courageous battle against cancer. Sadly, Sam passed away last summer, aged 18.
“I moved to the village in 2007 and a few years after that Sam became ill,” explained Chris. “I found out who had supplied the scooter Sam got about on and decided it would be good to raise money for the fund.
“The training is going to plan and I have put in as many long distance runs as possible, around the half-marathon mark, which is similar to the distances I need to cover running. I have also spent a lot of time on the bike and rowing machine.
“This is the first time I have done this event but I have been involved in other gruelling events such as marathon and various assault/endurance events which were pretty tough.”
The charity offers a wide range of equipment – including specialist beds and car seats for safety, buggies and walking frames for mobility and communication aids so children can tell their parents when they are hungry or in pain.
Since October 2014, Sam’s Legacy has helped fund much needed equipment for 12 children in Devon with the £7,700 that has been raised so far. Right now 10 children in Devon need equipment valued at £1,232.
Newlife Foundation Operations Manager Stephen Morgan said: We can’t thank fundraisers – like Chris Kenny – enough for their continued support.
“With applications to Newlife Foundation at an all-time high – 25 per cent up on last year – the charity is increasingly looking to ‘local heroes’ to help fund life-changing equipment for children in their own areas. The support of local fundraisers in Devon for Sam’s Legacy is making a huge impact on the lives of local children with disabilities or terminal illness in the county.”
For more information about ‘Sam’s Legacy’, go to: www.newlifecharity.co.uk/sam. Alternatively, you can call the Newlife Community Fundraising Team on 0800 988 4640 (free from UK mobiles and landlines).
To find out more about the range of equipment grant and loan support services offered by the charity, call the Newlife Nurse Helpline on 0800 902 0095 (free from UK mobiles and landlines) or email nurses@newlifecharity.co.uk.
If you would like to sponsor Chris Kenny’s 105 mile journey for Sam’s Legacy log on to: www.justgiving.com/Coasttocoastforsam
Pictured: Chris Kenny
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