Charity chairman in 2020 running challenge
A Black Country-based charity chairman is clocking up the miles by taking on a running challenge to raise much-needed funds.
Lee Jenkins, chairman of the Leukaemia Unit Appeal Fund in Dudley, first set himself the challenge of running 1,000 miles during 2020 to raise funds for the charity.
With more time on his hands due the coronavirus lockdown, the 46-year-old completed his 1,000th mile at the end of September.
He then decided he wanted to complete 2020 kilometres in 2020 – meaning he will have run 1,256 miles by the end of the year.
Lee, from Sedgley, has already raised more than £500 for the charity, which supports patients receiving treatment on the Georgina Unit at Russells Hall Hospital, in Dudley.
He said: "At the start of the year during the charity's annual general meeting (AGM), I thought lots of people do fundraising for us – so I decided to set myself a challenge instead, to run 1,000 miles during the year.
"I was able to finish that a lot earlier than expected with the extra spare time in lockdown. So I completed 1,000 miles at the end of September.
"Then I decided to do 2020 kilometres by the end of the year. So by December 31, I will have done 1,256 miles.
"Over the years I have done quite a bit of running for the charity – a marathon and 10ks in 10 weeks, but I haven't run properly for a few years so this was a challenge.
"I'm trying to raise as much money as possible – and have more than £550 so far, my target is £1,000.
"It is difficult times at the moment and it is coming up to Christmas, so any money that can be raised is great."
To donate, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/lee-jenkins2020.
