Quartet's 100-mile challenge aiming to 'smash' £25,000 fundraising target for the NHS which has seen Callum Johnson, Adam Peaty, Joshua-Blue Majury among sports stars joining in with crazy stunts

A 100-mile running and cycling challenge is aiming to ‘smash’ a £25,000 NHS fundraising target.

In April Swineshead Royal Marine Ryan Richardson set out to raise £500 while encouraging people to exercise during lockdown

But with support from local and Olympic sports stars, the total is now closing in on £25,000.

And on Saturday, August 29, Richardson and pals Grant Butler, Jack Coley and Bohdan Whitfield will take cover 100 miles on foot and two wheels as they bid to raise more cash for the NHS.

They will run five five-mile loops and ride five 15-mile circuits on their bikes from Kirton’s Black Bull pub, beginning at 7am.

And they are encouraging other runners and cyclists to join them for loops of their journey.

“We’ll be raising money on the day,” Richardson told The Standard.

“The more people the better, and anyone who wants to join in on a five-mile run or 15-mile ride can do it.

“We’ve had a lot of people messaging, a lot of cyclists wanting to come on the legs with us. Some just want to do the run.”

The event will also include a family fun day and barbecue at the Black Bull, aiming to raise further proceeds for the cause.

Richardson originally challenged pals to run 5k and donate £5 to the NHS in a bid to keep people active during lockdown.

This saw Boston boxer Callum Johnson, bodybuilding champ Joshua-Blue Majury and golfer Simon Richardson among those joining in and taking on crazy challenges to swell the coffers.

Olympic swimmer Adam Peaty also got involved, and the total raised currently stands at £22,443.

“We just wanted to get people out the house during lockdown, and it exploded from there,” Richardson added.

“The target’s now £25,000 but we want to smash that."

Anyone wishing to donate to the cause can do so by visiting here or turning up at the fun day.

People keen to take part in the challenge can get in contact with Richardson on Twitter - @Ryan_Richo