Stafford man runs 465 miles for mental health charity Mind

Daniel Furze took on the Calender Club challenge which saw him running the amount of miles to match the date.

It saw him run one mile on April 1 and finish with running 30 miles on April 30 – raising more than £2,500 for Mind.

Mr Furze said: "The Calendar Club started in the USA with Colin O'Brady and he wanted to get a lot of people across the world to take on the challenge.

"He was donating meals to the front line in the USA and lots of people wanted to do it to help other charities.

"I personally wanted to do it to raise money for Mind because I respect the work they do.

"I know a lot of people in IT who suffer with stress and anxiety and they use that service – and in lockdown people are really leaning on these charities."

The 31-year-old said half of the challenge was also to prove himself and inspire others to keep fit and healthy.

He said: "I wanted to inspire people to stay or get psychically and mentally active during lockdown," he said.

"I was staying fit and safe during this by going out to country lanes and avoiding people.

"This whole challenge was 465 miles in total and I wanted to raise the same amount but it's gone crazy and it's now around £2,500.

"I was really pleased with how many people were giving and it really kept me going."

Mr Furze, who works for Booking.com as a principal software engineers, said it was difficult doing the challenge during lockdown – being forced to do the same route over and over.

It also saw him travel and run around in circles near his home to clock up the miles.

"To do the same route was mentally draining, but that's half the challenge," he said.

"I had to keep telling myself 'ok, I've done the first mile just like yesterday' and then it slowly got to the marathon point."

Friends and family – as well as his work colleagues – have all joined in by running "alongside" him by completing the miles near their homes.

To donate visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/dan-furze