12:00pm Thursday 9th July 2009
RUNNING man Nathan Taylor is putting himself through another tough challenge to help two charities.
The 29-year-old fitness fanatic from Old Town is running from Land’s End in Cornwall to John O’Groats in Scotland.
He then plans to cycle back to Swindon from John O’Groats.
This means running 40 miles a day for 21 days and then cycling back 100 miles a day for seven days.
Throughout his challenge, which began last Friday, he will be helped by past, present and future British and world boxing stars including Beijing Olympics gold medallist James De Gale and former world middleweight and super middleweight champion Nigel Benn.
Nathan also hopes to meet either Ricky Hatton or Joe Calzaghe. Nathan will auction off signed boxing gloves at a boxing dinner at the De Vere Hotel on Friday, July 31.
The money raised will go to his chosen charities – the Gerald McClellan Trust and Wroughton’s Prospect Hospice.
The Gerald McClellan Trust is named after an American boxer who suffered brain damage following a bout with Benn in 1995, and raises money towards his ongoing $70,000 (about £40,000) annual care bills.
Nathan said: “Gerald was the greatest fighter I have seen. He was all about guts and determination, which reminds me of myself.
“I wanted to support a boxing charity because the sport is really similar to what I do. It is a pain game and about pushing your body beyond its barriers.”
He chose the Prospect Hospice as the other charity after losing somebody close to him. He added: “I’m really honoured these boxers are paying attention to what I am doing.
“It is going great so far. I’ve run 140 miles and I am not in too much pain.”
In November last year Nathan completed 10 marathons in 10 days in support of the Callum Kaye appeal. In March, he ran a marathon on a treadmill at the North Swindon branch of JJB Sports, where he works.
He said: “Hopefully what I am doing will capture the imagination of the people in Swindon and they will feel compelled to donate money.”
Donations can be made by visiting www.justgiving/prospect/ challenge or calling Keith Mayo, organiser of the boxing dinner, on 07789 890453.
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