Pair plan to each complete 2021km in a year in friend’s memory

Two friends will be embarking on a year-long challenge to raise funds for a local hospice that supported another friend at the end of his life.

With their usual fundraising activity for St Nicholas Hospice Care paused Martin McConnell and Ross Myhill have decided they will instead each walk or run 2021km in memory of Mark Woods.

Mark, known by many as ‘Woody’, had a brain tumour and passed away in the care of the hospice.

Following Mark’s death in January 2016, a football match and charity day had traditionally been arranged at Walsham-le-Willows Football Club by members and supporters of the football team Mark played for ATEC FC.

Due to the current situation, the fundraiser couldn’t take place last year, and it is unlikely it will be able to take place in the usual way this year, which is why Martin and Ross have decided to raise funds differently.

Martin said: “The situation with Covid-19 has meant that we couldn’t hold our charity day last year, and it will probably be the same this year. However, we still want to support the hospice in Mark’s memory. Everyone did so much for him, we just want to keep supporting.

“The 2021k distance will be a challenge, it’s around 3,100 miles, but so far I’ve done about 140k, which is around 80 miles.”

There isn’t a set date for the challenge to be completed by, other than it has to be done before the end of 2021. Martin is hoping that later in the year, restrictions allowing, they might be able to hold a small celebration recognise the challenge’s finish and remember Mark.

All of the funds raised will go to support the hospice which cares for people, and families across West Suffolk and Thetford facing dying, caring and grief.

Charlie De-Moore, the hospice’s events fundraiser, said: “We are so grateful that Martin and Ross have found a way to keep supporting us in 2021. The whole team had built up the football matches and charity days into such great events.

“Fitting 2021km into just a year will be quite a challenge, but they are determined to do it while raising funds for the hospice which will be used to support people like Mark and his family. Good luck.”

You can support Mark and Ross’ challenge here: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/martin-mcconnell4