All through the course of 2025, we’ve heard of some outstanding fundraising endeavours throughout the MAN v FAT neighborhood. And, because the 12 months wound to a detailed, one of many MAN v FAT HQ group took on one of many hardest but.
Joe Hemmingsley, Regional Coordinator for the South Area, participated in a gruelling 24 hour problem to boost funds for Alzheimer’s Society.
The goal of the problem was to run 5k on the hour, each hour, for twenty-four hours. In that point, Joe lined a outstanding 105km, which got here to over 100,000 steps and 13,000 energy expended.
With the mud having settled on that occasion, and Joe now in a position to stroll once more with out aches and pains, we caught up with him to seek out out extra.
Inform us a bit extra concerning the again story to why you bought concerned on this occasion
A fundraiser had been on my thoughts for some time. After seeing each my Nan and my accomplice’s Nan undergo for such an extended time frame with dementia, I felt an obligation to. After dropping each of them weeks aside, I used to be on the hunt for a problem – to do one thing of their reminiscence and lift cash for such an incredible trigger on the similar time. I selected the 24-hour occasion as I needed the problem to be brutal. I watched them undergo a dwelling hell for months, if not years. It appeared becoming to throw myself in on the deep finish – what’s 24 hours in any case?!
What really occurred on the night time? How did you get on in the course of the course of the night?
We began at 7.00am on the Saturday and completed simply after 7.00am on the Sunday (the final 5k took over an hour!). The primary half of the problem was comparatively snug – every 5k was accomplished sub half-hour, however that QUICKLY modified. At hour 12, we each fell off a proverbial cliff. The unique plan was ‘you go, I am going’ format, which means 60km a bit over 24 hours.
After 8 5ks back-to-back, I had no selection however to press on. Spirits have been very excessive in the course of the day, and we had numerous help. Because the night time closed in, that’s when the problem grew to become mentally very troublesome.
Was it tougher than you imagined? How did you be sure you reached the top?
Most undoubtedly! I used to be beneath the impression that nonetheless laborious it received, I might not less than stroll every 5k inside the hour, comfortably. When you’re bodily that sore, strolling 5km inside the hour turns into extraordinarily troublesome as it’s extra of a hobble. Damage prevention and administration was key to reaching the top. Over the primary few runs; I had in my thoughts that I used to be going to try each hour. Nonetheless, I needed to go towards that 8 5kms in. If I hadn’t made that call, I believe reaching the top would have been a battle. Ultimately, I accomplished 105km out of the 120km complete.
What did you study your self by means of the course of the night time?
You be taught lots about your self in these early morning hours. You be taught that bodily you might be much more succesful than you imagined and mentally you might be much more resilient than you thought you have been. I really feel as if administration of emotion throughout these 24 hours has nice carryover to the on a regular basis challenges of life. It additionally makes going out working lots, lot simpler now.
What’s your subsequent problem?
I’ve a marathon booked subsequent April, which I’m surprisingly wanting forwards to. Following that, I plan on wanting into some ‘extremely endurance’ occasions. What that appears like, solely time will inform.
Need to reward Joe for his efforts?
This was a gargantuan effort by Joe and one which the remainder of the HQ group are very pleased with him for. His fundraising web page stays open and also you can donate to a really worthy trigger right here.
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