RAF man to complete ten races in a year in memory of ex-colleague who died playing rugby

The serviceman, based at RAF Coningsby, is taking part in 10 running events – a combination of marathons, half marathons and 10ks – this year to raise money for the RAF Benevolent Fund, the RAF’s leading welfare charity.

Mike, a chief technician, lives in Tattershall and has been in the Royal Air Force for 18 years.

He decided to take on this fundraising challenge in memory of his Boston Buccaneers Club teammate, Senior Aircraftman Scott Stevenson.

Scott passed away in September 2019 following a head injury sustained during an inter-services Rugby League fixture.

Mike said: “This is a personal challenge for me: now that I’m 40, I wanted to mark the occasion by pushing myself more than ever before. Needless to say, this should be sufficiently tough!

“I decided along the way to dedicate this challenge in honour of Scott by raising money for the RAF Benevolent Fund, his family’s charity of choice.

“He was a valued member of the Boston Buccaneers and his passing came as a complete shock to the entire rugby world, so this is an opportunity to remember him whilst giving something back.”

The ten events Mike will be taking part in cover a total distance of almost 200 miles.

Over the course of 2020, he plans to run 1,500 miles taking into account training and other runs outside of the fundraising challenge.

He’ll start his ten race challenge later this month in the Leciestershire half marathon

His programme also includes a 10k event at Woodhall Spa in June and he will round things off in the Great North Run on Septmeber 13...blisters permitting!

Mike will also be taking part ‘The Hurricane 80K challenge’ which is a virtual event organised by the RAF Museum.

It is typically completed over the course of 80 days, but Mike will be completing it in a single weekend in July.

The full programme of races Mike will be taking part in are as follows:

February 23 - Leicestershire Half

• March 1 - Warwick Half

• March 29 - Sheffield Half

• April 19 - Longhorn Marathon

• May - Event TBC

• June 7 - Woodhall 10K

• June 28 - Humber Half

• July - Hurricane 80K challenge

• August 9 - Newark Half

• September 13 - Great North Run

Lisa Hunt, RAF Benevolent Fund Regional Fundraiser, added: “Mike’s challenge is absolutely epic, spanning the course of seven months.

“We are extremely grateful that he’s chosen to raise money for the RAF Benevolent Fund while paying tribute to his former teammate.”

•You can support Mike by donating here