A gruelling, almost 14-hour session saw North Staffordshire businessman Adam Whitehouse complete a 100km charity fundraiser in one day.
Adam, who founded tech repair company TMT First, in Newcastle-under-Lyme, embarked on the challenge yesterday to raise money for the Dougie Mac and celebrate Stoke-on-Trent’s centenary.
Starting off from the headquarters of Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce at Festival Park, his run took in the city’s six towns as well heading out to Stockton Brook and Newcastle-under-Lyme before finishing at Sixtowns at the World of Wedgwood, in Barlaston.
He stopped off at the likes of Port Vale Football Club, Gladstone Pottery Museum, the Dougie Mac’s hospices and the Potteries Museum and Art Gallery along the way.
Adam has been encouraging other local businesses and organisations to get involved with 100K4ADay by forming their own teams or going solo to run what they can, when they can throughout June.
He hopes to be able to raise £56,000 – the amount it costs to run the Stoke-on-Trent-based charity for one day.
Last night, the fundraising total stood at just over £8,710.
Adam said: “It was hard, but I’d planned for it to be harder. I ache a bit and have blistered feet…but, hey, I did it! And for such a good cause.”
Adam has thanked all those who joined him for part of the route. Ebstar owner John Hayden cycled with him most of the way, a group from Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce accompanied him for the first 10k and around 12 others completed the last 5k with him around Wedgwood.
He added: “I was never alone and that made it so much more enjoyable and possible.”
Among those offering their support is M Club and its gyms in Newcastle-under-Lyme and Etruria.
The company has pledged £1,000 towards Adam’s fundraising and is encouraging its staff, members and non-members to run, walk, cycle and/or swim over the month of June and add to the total.
Director Shanie Chaudry-Goodall said: “There is a great buzz around the fundraising.
“Dougie Mac is an important local charity to support and once we heard about Adam’s fundraising, we thought this was a great way to do it.”
More information about 100K4ADay, including Adam’s route, can be found here.
Click here to donate.
