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Walsall fan launches running challenge to raise money for NHS charities

Walsall fan Roberto Petrucco is putting himself through a month-long feat of endurance to raise money for the NHS charities.

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The 26-year-old, who runs fan Twitter account Vital Walsall, is giving up drinking alcohol for the whole of May, while aiming to run 100km over the 31 days.

He has set up a Just Giving page with an initial target of raising £500 to do his bit for the staff working on the frontline during the coronavirus pandemic.

“I decided to do this fundraiser for the NHS for the simple reason of being able to,” he said.

“I wanted to contribute in some way, as the heroes who have been working on the front-line deserve every bit of help they can get.

“NHS charities seemed like the best group to contribute to. The money gets spread out across the whole NHS to help with things like research, development and supplying equipment.

“Hopefully there is enough money raised to go beyond the Covid-19 outbreak, and there will be enough to help the NHS with other things like cancer research, mental health Issues, and money for staff too.

“I have previously done a dry January, but this time I wanted to push it further, and add a second part to it, which is where the idea for adding a run came in.

“Since January, I have been trying to run more often, with park run’s. I had signed up for the Birmingham 10K, but unfortunately that was cancelled.

“The 100km during the month works out to be roughly two miles a day and as someone that is used to doing one run a week, it will certainly push me.

“Ideally I would go above the 100km mark, but I will take it one step at a time.”

People can donate by visiting: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/roberto-petrucco.