Greg Heathcote completed the ultimate endurance challenge by running 5K every single day in 2023 in memory of his dear friend Paul Cartledge, who sadly passed away at the young age of 42 to pulmonary fibrosis. Greg wanted to do something special to support the thousands of people living with the disease and went above and beyond to raise an incredible £10,000 for our charity.
Come rain, snow and sunshine, Greg pushed his limits to complete his daily distance and his pure determination to finish the challenge has inspired our whole community. Greg also signed up for multiple run events during the year (including the Stafford 10K & Shawbury 10K Airfield Race) and was often joined by Paul’s wife Claire, which gave the friends an opportunity to stay close and do something amazing together.
“Running 5km every day was the most challenging thing that I’ve ever done but the amazing total raised made it all worth while. Along with all of the donations and kind words from friends and family, keeping in touch with the APF Fundraising Team directly throughout the year really did serve as a constant reminder of just how important fundraising is to APF. This won’t be the last challenge I take on for this wonderful cause in memory of my good friend Paul.”
Greg’s motivation for the challenge was to prevent other families from facing the heartache of losing a loved one and ensure healthcare professionals are equipped to provide the best care possible for people suffering with the disease.
If you feel inspired by Greg's story and would like to take on your own run challenge for APF, please contact our Fundraising Team and we'll be there to support you every step of the way! We also have hundreds of local events available, whether you're interested in a 10K, Half Marathon, Marathon or Family Friendly Inflatables - please visit the Run for APF page for further details and do something amazing today!