How did you get involved with The Running Charity?

I first came across The Running Charity while watching the London Marathon coverage in 2015. They showed a short film about Claude Umuhire’s running journey, which really struck a chord with me. I used to travel to London for work regularly back then, so I met up with Alex, the founder, to ask about the possibility of setting up something in Manchester. After a few months spent meeting potential partners, I was lucky enough to be offered redundancy from my career, so I was able to take a year out to volunteer full-time and get things going.

What does your average day look like?

It’s a combination of group and 1:1 sessions, alongside any day-to-day support the young people need. In Manchester, myself and Pete often work in tandem when doing outreach and recruiting new runners into the programme. The longest it’s taken us to get someone to join us is 18 months! I also support the work in Leeds and manage our amazing volunteers.

What would you say is your proudest achievement since working with us?

It was starting the programme in Manchester as a volunteer and watching it grow across the North.

What has been your best moment, personally?

All the best moments have involved sharing in the achievements of our young people. Being outsprinted to the finish line of the 50-mile Pen Llyn Ultra with Martin, 3 years after he joined us at the first ever session in Manchester, will always stick in my mind, though. 

Why do you like working with young people? 

It keeps me young… as photos will prove.

Away from The Running Charity, what keeps you busy?

Running barefoot, playing classical double bass (badly), bass guitar, (slightly less badly), practising yoga and teaching mindfulness

When did you start running and why? 

I started running in the 80s, mostly to cheer myself up, and it worked!

Tell us about your favourite race or run? 

I love the Tor Des Geants in the Italian alps because it’s the most difficult race I’d ever heard about, covering 330k of stunning mountain terrain. And there’s the classic Pen Llyn Ultra 75 in Wales as it takes place in my favourite part of the world.