Runner’s Triple Challenge in Memory of Grandfather
A 25 year old runner from Porth has raised over £2000 for mental health charity Cwm Taf Morgannwg Mind in memory of his late Grandfather.
Between July and October this year, Ethan Morris took on three seperate mammoth challenges to raise the funds. His first challenge (Ten Y Fan) was to run up and down Pen Y Fan mountain in Brecon, 10 times within 24 hours. Following that, Ethan then completed the David Goggins Challenge, which involves running 4 miles, every 4 hours, for 48 hours. Ethan’s final challenge took place in October where he completed 26.2 miles in the London Marathon.
Ethan raised an amazing £2,134.35 in total over the three challenges, which has been donated to Cwm Taf Morgannwg Mind. Ethan explains his motivation for the challenges:
“My main motivation for these challenges was my Grandfather. A few years back he took his own life after struggling with anxiety and depression for a long time. I saw the impact that had on me and my family, and also what he must have been experiencing, so I have committed to raising money for mental health so no one has to suffer like he did.”
On the challenges that Ethan completed, he commented:
“The Ten Y Fan challenge was probably the hardest of them all. A team of four started the challenge but I was the only one to finish it. Twenty hours without sleep and the repetitiveness of the challenge was very hard, but I had a few supporters who kept me going throughout the day.
“The London Marathon had such an electric atmosphere that you can’t help but be carried along by the crowds and entertainment along the way. At the end of the challenges I felt both a sense of great relief and great achievement!”
Supporting Ethan throughout the challenge has been his old school friend and now Cwm Taf Morgannwg Mind Homelessness Intervention Project Worker, Mitchell Hughes. Mitchell comments:
“I’d like to thank Ethan for his great efforts of fundraising for CTM Mind. He has put his body through so much physically and mentally to raise funds for a cause close to his heart. As a friend of Ethan’s I am extremely proud and it’s great to see a local, young lad supporting mental health.”
Cwm Taf Morgannwg Mind’s Marketing & Fundraising Manager, Gareth Lewis added:
“We want to say a big thank you to Ethan. The money he has raised through his challenges will be used to support our work around mental health prevention, recovery and homelessness across Cwm Taf Morgannwg. People like Ethan, giving their time and efforts to fundraise for us, make a real difference within their communities.”
For more information on this story, or if you are interested in fundraising for CTM Mind in the future, please email gareth.lewis@ctmmind.org.uk or call 01685 707480.