Eight-year-old's marathon run challenge

An eight-year-old schoolboy has run the distance of a marathon to raise cash for a charity's life saving research.
By The Newsroom
Published 2nd Jun 2016, 11:10 BST
Updated 2nd Jun 2016, 12:18 BST
William and mum Becky Bradley as the eight-year-old attempts or run 26.2 miles in a month to raise money for The British Heart Foundation.William and mum Becky Bradley as the eight-year-old attempts or run 26.2 miles in a month to raise money for The British Heart Foundation.
William and mum Becky Bradley as the eight-year-old attempts or run 26.2 miles in a month to raise money for The British Heart Foundation.

William Bradley, from Hutton in Preston, has taken on the British Heart Foundation’s new MyMarathon challenge after he started running with his mum Becky in March in a bid to increase his confidence and self-esteem.

In just 23 days in May, William managed to tot up the 26.2 miles by running four miles a few times a week making him one of the youngest competitors in the challenge this year.

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By taking part, William has raised £250 for the BHF’s life saving research, and is hoping to keep going to raise even more.

William and mum Becky Bradley as the eight-year-old attempts or run 26.2 miles in a month to raise money for The British Heart Foundation.William and mum Becky Bradley as the eight-year-old attempts or run 26.2 miles in a month to raise money for The British Heart Foundation.
William and mum Becky Bradley as the eight-year-old attempts or run 26.2 miles in a month to raise money for The British Heart Foundation.

William’s mum Becky Bradley, 37, said: “I cannot express how incredibly proud I am of him! There are not many eight-year-olds who can do something this amazing. Even when it was pouring with rain all he wanted to do was go out and run so he could complete his MyMarathon challenge because he was so keen. I knew he would do it because he’s a stubborn little boy when he puts his mind to something and it’s been lovely to see everyone get behind him. “They’ve all sponsored him and give him high fives as he runs and he’s really overwhelmed.

“The support and donations he’s received have been incredible, and I know he’s feeling really proud of himself and his confidence has increased dramatically.

“Heart disease is devastating. My friend’s father sadly died of a heart attack, and more recently one of my work colleagues had a heart attack at the start of May. So it’s good to know that the money William raises will help people like that who suffer from heart disease.”

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Barbara Dunn, BHF Fundraising Manager for Lancashire, said: “Heart disease is heartless and we’re incredibly grateful to William for taking part in our MyMarathon challenge especially at such a young age.”

William has now ran nearly 32 miles and to sponsor him visit https://mymarathon.everydayhero.com/uk/WilliamBradleymarathon

Related topics:British Heart FoundationPrestonHeart Disease