Wendy McCallum has recently completed a 24-hour running challenge in aid of Sue Ryder Wheatfields Hospice in her continued efforts to honour the pledge she made 12 years ago.
Wendy’s mum, Fiona, was cared for at the Hospice until she died in 2010. Every year since then, she’s completed a variety of challenges. The first was the Leeds Half Marathon in 2011. Wendy and her husband Ian have completed marathons, ultra-marathons, zip wires and a skydive. Their half marathon in Las Vegas was combined with a renewal of their marriage vows.
11 years and £5,000 later, Wendy is still helping Sue Ryder Wheatfields Hospice to fund expert, compassionate care to people living with life-limiting conditions in Leeds, as well as supporting their families.
The Endure24 trail running event at Bramham Park took place in June, where hundreds of people completed as many laps as they could of a five-mile route over a 24-hour period. This was Wendy’s third time taking part, but the first time as a solo entry, and she completed 14 laps (70 miles) in 23 hours 52 mins.
Wendy: “The atmosphere was amazing – I can see why it is called Glastonbury for runners! I really enjoyed it and chatted with some amazing people, all with their own personal reasons for wanting to do it.
The early hours were the hardest as I was tired and cold, but as it started getting lighter I felt a lot better mentally. Physically I was struggling but I still found something in me to carry on. My final lap was the hardest one by far, but with the help and encouragement of Ian and the other runners, I did it!”
Wendy wasted no time to set her sights on her next fundraising challenges, includiing a similar 24-hour endurance trail race on the banks of the world-famous Loch Ness which took place on the 27th August.
“I was on a high for days after Endure24 and was trying to fit it into every conversation! I had a week off and then I was back at it again to train for a similar event in just a few weeks, which included completing The Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge. Madness!
“I will never be able to thank Sue Ryder Wheatfields Hospice enough for the care and support they gave to my mum and our whole family. I vowed that I would raise funds for the charity and I won’t stop – I will keep thinking of new things I can do!”
Wendy’s now told us about her experience at Loch Ness: “Loch Ness 24 was hard due to the different types of terrain and of course the hills – but absolutely stunning scenery. We ran through pine forests, the pebbly shore of Loch Ness, day and night. It was beautiful to see the scenery change with the sunset and sunrise. As it was the first one, it wasn’t too overcrowded, and it was well organised. Both Ian and myself were a ‘pairs’ team, we completed 20 laps of 7km trail routes – hence 140k in 24hours and we came 5th in pairs, a very unexpected bonus! We got a medal and a bottle of specially brewed Loch Ness beer.”
Michelle Darbyshire, Community Fundraising Manager at Sue Ryder Wheatfields Hospice, said: “Wendy is an incredible person and we can’t thank her enough for everything she has done to support our hospice over the years. The money she has raised, and continues to raise, helps us to continue to be there when it matters for people going through the most difficult times of their lives.”
You can still donate to Wendy’s fundraising page, visit: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/wendy-mccallum15
To find out more about Sue Ryder Wheatfields Hospice, visit: sueryder.org/wheatfields.
