Run challenge raises over £2k

Dominic Bradburne set himself a goal of running a minimum of 5km a day in the first 31 days of 2021, while aiming to raise £300 for the national charity.

He eventually went well over the 5km a day and finished with a total distance of 210km – in excess of five marathons.

For the final day of the challenge, Mr Bradburne ran 9.5km in 54 minutes.

After successfully reaching his target by pounding the pavements around the Ashville campus, the total he has raised now stands at £2,522, with more still coming in.

Mr Bradburne said: “We have all been touched by cancer, and here at Ashville we sadly lost our Headmaster, Richard Marshall, to it last November.

“This spurred me on to do something sports-related to raise money for Cancer Research UK, and I am humbled by the amount raised and thankful to everyone who has donated.

“Smashing the £300 target is simply fantastic, and I’d like to thank everyone for their donations, no matter how small. This money will now go towards helping to find an eventual cure for this disease, one that can’t come soon enough.”

Mr Bradburne added: “Sport has always played a major role in college life and still does despite COVID-19. I’m delighted to say the majority of our pupils are still managing to undertake some form of regular home-based sporting activity.

“Sport is not just good for physical fitness, it’s beneficial for mental wellbeing too. This fundraising challenge got me out of the house in all weathers, and there was certainly some ‘weather’ last month in Harrogate, and although sometimes physically tough, was a welcome mental release.”

Mr Bradburne, who lives in the College’s Greenholme boarding house where his wife is Housemistress, said: “The boarders get plenty of opportunities to take part in both indoor and outdoor sporting activities, and they have been a great source of inspiration over the last month.

“During this and the previous two lockdowns, the College’s PE department has focused on keeping pupils active in whatever way possible given their individual circumstances. We also give one-to-one support where needed to maintain pupils’ mental wellbeing.

“There is also a major House competition underway, the House KM Challenge, involving not only pupils, but staff, parents and alumni, with every kilometre run, walked or cycled being translated into points that will go towards the Rigg Cup – the College trophy awarded at the end of each academic year for academic and sporting success.

“We have also extended this by having our first virtual fixture this week, with Year 7 to Year 10 pupils competing against Giggleswick School to record the greatest distance. Our pupils showed outstanding levels of participation resulting in a 8 - 4 victory to Ashville!”

For those who would like to contribute to Mr Bradburne’s fundraising total, they can do so here: https://fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/page/dryathlon-run