Runner's 8 miles a day for a YEAR to back Bolton Hospice

Eddie Birchall's challenge works out at an astounding total of more than two marathons per week or more than 100 marathons per year.

Eddie, from Farnworth, who ran New Bury Youth Club for 30 years, did not intend to fundraise for Bolton Hospice when he set out at the start of this year.

However, after the first six-month period of running eight miles a day, he said the second six-month period should be in support of a cause close to his heart.

Eddie said: "When I ran New Bury Youth Club I used to take my holidays doing a challenge. 

"We did all sorts of stuff but we thought we might as well start to raise money. We raised around £20,000 for charities and one of them was Bolton Hospice. 

"Afterwards I decided I would do something for myself. I thought of doing another challenge.

"I set myself a target and I said if I get to six months I'll do it for charity. Everyone knows what I'm up to and they're not surprised because I'm always up to something."

Eddie's amazing achievements include Bolton Ironman, London Marathon and Land's End to John O'Groats. In 2012 he was a torchbearer for the London Olympics.

Now approaching 60 years of age he said this challenge is the toughest as he has to do it after a day at work whatever the weather.

Eddie said: "This is the toughest although it's only eight miles a day. 

"When it's rainy and it's windy you're there thinking 'oh my god'."

Kathryn Willett, a fundraiser at Bolton Hospice, said: "What an inspiration Eddie is, eight miles a day is a huge challenge. We are incredibly grateful for his dedication to raising funds for Bolton Hospice, thank you so much for your commitment to helping us through a difficult year.

"Every single pound Eddie raises will help us to continue to provide free specialist palliative and end of life care for families when they need us most. We wouldn’t be able to do what we do without amazing people in our community like Eddie who make it possible, thank you from the bottom of our hearts."

Eddie wants to raise £3000 for Bolton Hospice with a page on GoFundMe. For information go to gofundme.com/f/the-8-mile-everyday-for-12-month-run-challenge.

The Bolton News is currently running a campaign to raise money for the hospice which could  be forced to cut its services.

It was recently revealed in a Westminster debate that the hospice is running at a £1.2million loss and could be forced to cut nearly a third of its beds. 

The Bolton News recently launched its 'Save Bolton Hospice' campaign to help reduce the deficit, aiming to raise an initial £100,000.

To see our fundraiser, follow this link: https://www.gofundme.com/f/Bolton-News-Bolton-Hospice-appeal

To learn more about Bolton Hospice and the work they do, visit: https://www.boltonhospice.org.uk/

This article was written by Jack Tooth. To contact him, email jack.tooth@newsquest.co.uk or follow @JTRTooth on Twitter.