Broadway charity runner's 50p challenge (From Somerset County Gazette)

Broadway charity runner's 50p challenge

A BROADWAY man is trying to raise £300,000 for the charity he works for – by getting one per cent of the country to donate just 50p!

DAVE Urwin is hoping to run marathons and ultra marathons across the county.

Dave Urwin is hoping to run marathons and ultra-marathons across the country to spread the word about his challenge.

Dave, 29, who works at Mind in Taunton, has just started collecting money and has raised more than £100 so far.

He said the fundraising idea came from a childhood memory of his.

He said: “I got the idea maybe from a friend when I was 17 who asked for a pound off people instead of a present for his birthday – so I guess that planted the seed, really.

“I have been thinking about doing something like this for a long time, rather than applying for a large grant, and the money should help run a number of branches for years to come.”

This year Dave has run the Torbay Half Marathon and the Run in the Wild 10k and will run the Somerset Levels, and Moors Marathon on September 10.

In 2009 top comedian Eddie Izzard ran 43 marathons in 51 days to raise £200,000 for Sport Relief and Dave revealed that mammoth task was a big inspiration for him.

He added: “Eddie captured the public’s imagination and showed everyone that anything is possible.

“Most people can afford 50p and I don’t want people to be put off if others have donated more because 50p’s are great – I don’t want to leave anyone out of pocket.”

To sponsor Dave follow the link below.