Banbury residents - Rachel and Gareth - raise more than £4,000 for charity in ultramarathon marathon challenge

Gareth Birkett and Rachel Piper from Banbury and Jo Parker, from Northwich, took part in the Last One Standing Ultramarathon in Northern Ireland on Saturday February 15 raising £4235 for Helen & Douglas House children’s hospice who care for Gareth’s son, William.

They all set off at 12 noon and completed a 4.2mile trail loop every hour. The event is complete when the last competitor completes a solo loop. It can and does go on for days.

Each competitor had their own goal and Jo’s was to complete a minimum of 12 loops totalling 50 miles, which she achieved. Gareth and Rachel both completed their goal of 100 miles in 24 hours.

Jo said: "This is by far my biggest challenge to date. The weather was horrendous with Storm Dennis which made the ground conditions particularly difficult but we all had a fantastic weekend. I was ecstatic with my 50 miles, particularly with the conditions being so bad. We couldn't have done it without the support of my husband Phil, who had everything ready and waiting for us at the end of each loop.

"For those of you who know me will know that I love a little challenge from time to time however, my real why is to raise money for the fabulous Helen & Douglas House who provide respite care for my beautiful nephew William, aged four, who has a life-shortening condition.

"So it is a charity very close to our hearts. I would like to thank everyone who donated and my employers Elanco in Liverpool who donated a very generous £1,500 through their workplace giving scheme."

Gareth Birkett, William’s Dad said: "We all raised money for Helen & Douglas House as their services provide the only real break from the 24-hour care my son William needs. It is a real salvation for both William and our whole family."

Alison Hooker from Helen & Douglas House said: "I would like to say a huge thank you to Jo, Gareth and Rachel for raising £4,235 for our charity.

"We simply couldn’t provide the amazing care to local children like William without people taking on wonderful sporting challenges like this and raising money for us. We need to raise £3.6m a year to care for local terminally ill child and cannot do this without the help of wonderful supporters like Jo, Gareth and Rachel."