Sturton by Stow man ran seven marathons in seven days for charities

From Saturday, March 6, to Friday, March 12, Sam ran through the villages of Corringham, Blyton, Springthorpe, Hemswell, Kexby, Upton, Willingham by Stow, each day finishing at Gelder Group’s Head Office complex at Sturton by Stow.

Sam initially aimed to raise £10,000 for The Gelder Charitable Trust and £2,000 for Cancer Research UK but he has managed to smash this target and raised a combined £49,475.20 with £9,687 for Cancer Research UK and £39,678.20 for The Gelder Charitable Trust.

Sam said: “After two days I felt like I had nothing in the tank and I couldn’t eat enough to keep the my body fuelled.

"There were definitely days where I could have given up, but with the support of my family and friends and knowing that the money raised would benefit so many people, kept me going.

"A massive thank you everyone who has donated to the charities.”

The Gelder Charitable Trust was set up in 2020 following the sad and sudden passing of Gelder Group Commercial Manager James Flintham who was 38.

The charity provides support, financial or otherwise, to construction workers and their families when they become incapacitated through illness or accident.

Three people/families have already benefited from Sam’s effort’s which have not only raised a colossal amount of money for the two charities, it has also inspired other fund raising activities at Gelder Group which have so far raised a further £2,300.

Steve Gelder said: "Five weeks on and The Gelder Charitable Trust and Cancer Research have received £49,475.20, an incredible sum, thanks to everyone who donated, got involved and for all the messages of support.

"Well done Sam, you’ve not only raised an enormous amount for charity, you’ve also inspired others to do more whilst making a lot of people happy which is even more important, happiness is the only thing that doubles each time its shared, well done.”

For more information on Sam’s incredible achievements and The Gelder Charitable Trust visit www.gelder.co.uk.