'It's remarkable': Leeds Rhinos fan blown away by support as he takes on 108-mile challenge
A Leeds man who is preparing to run across the Yorkshire Three Peaks has said that he is “incredibly grateful” for the support he has received from friends, family, and even strangers.
Andrew Richardson will run 108 miles from his hometown in Horsforth to the Yorkshire Three Peaks and back again, to raise money for the Motor Neurone Disease Association (MNDA) on April 11.
The route will see him cross all three of the Yorkshire Peaks: Pen-y-Ghent, Whernside, and Ingleborough.
So far, Andrew’s donation page for the challenge has raised more than £4,300 for the charity, a figure that the runner can’t quite believe is real.
“It’s just remarkable how many people have given something,” Andrew told the Yorkshire Evening Post.
“It makes me feel incredibly grateful. I know the work the MNDA put in, and that makes me want to raise as much as I possibly can and keep that figure ticking over to try and help them out as much as possible.”
The 30-year-old’s preparation for the challenge has involved more than 80 miles per week worth of running and cycling, a training schedule he described as “brutal”.
Andrew predicted the challenge would be tough. What he didn’t expect was the level of support he would receive from the Leeds community.
“The thing that has been most surprising has been the willingness for people to give.
“Even people that I don’t know have given money for the fundraiser, or to help out with bake sales or a raffle has been really incredible.
“People are putting in hundreds of hours to help out and it’s really appreciated.”
Andrew, who also previously ran 100km across Leeds to support the MNDA, was inspired to take on his mountainous ultramarathon, after his best friend’s mother passed away from Motor Neurone Disease.
After seeing the efforts of rugby league legends Kevin Sinfield and the late Rob Burrow have made to raise awareness around the condition, Leeds Rhinos fan Andrew wanted to play his part to support people living with MND.
Andrew said: “When I think about my best mate Will and his mum, and everything they went through in their family, whatever I’m going through is nothing in comparison.
“The journey’s obviously difficult but when you remember what you’re doing it for, it keeps you going.”