An army sergeant's latest fundraising challenge will see him take on a 10-mile walk or run every single day for almost three years.
Sunderland's David Ansell did a half marathon every day for a year between September 2020 and 2021 in aid of Cancer Research UK - and has now decided to one-up himself and complete an even more extreme challenge. Starting on January 4, he plans to cover 10,000 miles over the following 1,000 days, either walking or jogging.
David, a Sqn Training Warrant Officer serving with the Queen's Own Yeomanry reservists in Newcastle, was inspired to take on his previous challenge when his father - also David - was diagnosed with lung cancer. The elder David died just weeks into his son's first challenge.
But for the younger David, his dad's memory is among the inspirations for his continued fundraising. He has so far raised more than £18,000 for Cancer Research UK. He is also fundraising in memory of colleague Dean Ashworth, who died of oesophageal cancer in October 2020 and inspired by family friend Chloe Pescod, who underwent a heart transplant before developing cancer - and is still undergoing treatment.
In 2021, David was a finalist in the Regional Fundraiser of the Year category at the Pride of Britain awards. He had been nominated by Chloe and her family.
Speaking about the new challenge, he said: "I was trying to think of a bigger and more mad idea. It will be a mix of me jogging and walking but if people want to join me and don’t want to jog, then we can walk. It’s all about covering the distance of 10 miles per day.
“I’ve got that stupid mindset that I can go and do it; I know what I’m doing it for."
He added that the impact of cancer on his father had been profound, especially as Covid-19 restrictions meant he could not visit him. "When I finally got to go and see him, I saw the change and what cancer had done, to make him go from the bubbly person he was to the grey person he became. I wanted to do something to help," he said.
David explained that his dad had thought he was "absolutely bonkers" but told him to "crack on son".
Cancer Research UK spokesperson for the North East Michaela Robinson-Tate said: “We are absolutely delighted but not surprised to hear about David’s latest challenge.
"Knowing how determined he is, we have no doubt he will complete the 10,000 day walk to help fund vital research. We can’t wait to follow his progress and we would like to say thank you and good luck to David."
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