A WORCESTER woman ran 100km in a month to raise funds for the British Heart Foundation (BHF).
Catherine Jones took on the challenge in tribute to her dad, Caron Morgan, who died suddenly in November 2014.
Catherine had originally signed up for the Cardiff Half Marathon but with the event postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, she decided to create her own 100km month-long challenge.
From the start of November, Catherine laced up her running shoes and braved the wind, rain and dark nights of winter to complete the fundraiser.
She carried out the runs around her full-time job as a primary school teacher and completed her challenge on Saturday 28th November with a half marathon.
So far, Catherine has raised over £1,000 for the BHF’s life-saving research.
“With any challenge, goal or ambition, my Dad would always say ‘Go for it!’ – so I did,” said Catherine, who is married to husband, Dan, a cardiac physiologist.
“It’s been tough at times but I’ve enjoyed the challenge and I’ve been overwhelmed by the support that has been given.
“Knowing that the money I’ve raised will help to fund the BHF’s vital research into heart and circulatory conditions means so much.”
In Worcestershire alone, around 74,000 people are living with the daily burden of heart and circulatory diseases. These conditions cause 140 deaths in the county each month.
The BHF funds research into all heart and circulatory conditions, including heart disease, stroke, vascular dementia and their risk factors, including high blood pressure and diabetes.
However, due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, the charity’s UK research investment could halve this year.
Karen Robinson, BHF’s Fundraising Manager, said: “It is incredible that Catherine decided to hold this personal challenge in aid of the BHF and we are so grateful for all her support.
“The devastating impact of the Covid-19 pandemic means that the BHF’s investment in new research could fall by around £50 million this year. This research is entirely fuelled by the generous donations of the public, and that’s why we need their support now, more than ever.”
Visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/catherine-jones-bhf100km for more.
