'It was unbelievable': Andrew raises £12k for the MNDA in 'brutal' ultramarathon

Andrew Richardson ran from Leeds to the Yorkshire Dales last weekend across a 113-mile route, which saw him cross the summits of Pen-y-ghent, Whernside, and Ingleborough.

The civil engineer said that the support he received from the challenge, which took just under 30 hours to complete, created a “feeling that almost can’t be described.”

“I feel unbelievably privileged to have a group of people around me that are just incredible people and did all sorts of things to try and help throughout the way,” Andrew told the Yorkshire Evening Post.

“Every time I saw them popping up in random places I didn’t expect them and driving past and beeping their horns at me, I found it quite difficult to hold myself together.”

The 30-year-old set off for his ultramarathon from Horsforth at 8am on Saturday, April 11.

His close friends Matty, Callum, George, and Matt, ran and cycled with Andrew for part of the distance and drove in a van just behind him to cheer him on and look out for his safety too.

Andrew said: “They’re the best friends anyone could ever ask for.

“I wouldn’t have even got halfway without them being there.”

After reaching the Yorkshire Three Peaks in the evening, Andrew ran up all three summits over ten hours in “brutal” conditions across the night including strong winds, snow blowing sideways, and pitch black darkness.

Running up the mountains, he was joined by his best friend Will who has also raised over £3,000 for the MNDA.

The charity challenge was initially inspired by Will’s mother who passed away from motor neurone disease late last year.

For Andrew, it filled him with pride to complete one of the toughest parts of the ultramarathon with Will by his side.

Andrew said: “He says that I’ve inspired him (but) he’s the one that’s inspired me.

“He’s never done the Three Peaks and to do it 10.5 hours in pitch black darkness for half of was such an unbelievable achievement for him and he should be extremely proud of what he’s done.”

Andrew has raised a total of £12,220 to support the MNDA which provides advice and support to those affected by MND and funds research into treatments.

It’s a figure which is over a fifth more than his original target of £10,000 and when he realised how much he raised, Andrew felt emotional.

“To be honest, I did cry my eyes out,” he said.

“I never really thought I’d actually get to the £10,000 so to get this amount of money is just unbelievable - I can never thank everyone who’s donated enough.”

Andrew completed the challenge back in Horsforth just before 2pm on Sunday, April 12 and was greeted by excited friends and family who energised him to take the final few steps over the finish line.

Andrew said: “About three minutes before finishing, it was the worst I’ve ever felt in my entire life. I almost can’t put into words how bad I felt.

“Then turning the corner and seeing the unbelievable amount of people at the finish line, people that I haven’t seen for years who have come out to support me, I was just full of emotion.”

Since the ultramarathon’s end, Andrew has felt understandably tired with “aching” legs and “feet on fire”.

However, he is immensely grateful for the outpouring of messages of encouragement and generosity which will help the MNDA continue their work for people with MND across the UK.

“The number of messages I’ve had and the support from people and the amount of money that’s gone into the page I feel pretty incredible about.”

“I can’t imagine a better feeling in the world.”

To donate to Andrew’s challenge, visit his JustGiving page.