Local News

34 ‘wheelchair marathons’ benefits local charity

David Williamson Enham Trust

A #TeamEnham fundraiser has completed his 34th wheelchair marathon – and raised funds for Andover’s Enham Trust.

The Trust are celebrating the achievements of and congratulates David Williamson from Portsmouth who last week successfully completed his 34th wheelchair marathon.

David has so far raised over £1,900 for Enham Trust to assist disabled people to live, work and enjoy life.

A double amputee, David decided to participate in the #Enham100Challenge created to celebrated their centenary anniversary after hearing about the vital work the charity does through a friend and member of staff at the charity.

David committed to journeying the 26.2-mile distance by completing 106 laps of his local running track, the Mountbatten Centre in Portsmouth and, after a gruelling 7-hour effort under the heat of the sunshine, successfully crossed the finish line (for the 106th time).

Shortly after completing his 100 Challenge, David took to social media to share, “That was one of the hardest marathons I’ve ever done. On a running track there is no shelter from the weather, so the heat out here is just relentless and just zaps your energy”.

He also called upon his followers to support his achievement via his sponsorship page and to visit the Enham Trust website to hear more about the work they do.

Prior to his marathon, David caught up with the fundraising team at Enham Trust and explained why he wanted to support their cause:

“I think the stuff you do is absolutely vital; I think it’s so important. And if you guys weren’t doing it, would the people you support have those opportunities otherwise? – probably not. It comes back full circle to the sports clubs I used to go to and how they’re not there anymore. Because of my experience, I recognise the issue and think it’s really important to support you”.

There’s still time to support David’s epic achievement by visiting https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/DW34.

For anyone else who would like to step up to the #Enham100Challenge or fancies taking part in Virgin Money’s 2021 Virtual London Marathon on 3rd October in aid of Enham Trust, head to their website by clicking here to find out more and sign up.

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About the author

David Harber

David Harber is the founder and Managing Director of Love Andover, including the Love Andover Observer newspaper and 95.9FM Andover Radio. He is a fellow at the Royal Society of Arts and a card carrying member of the Nation Union of Journalists.