Constant runner Claire Simpson has pounded the pavements every day for a year to raise £3,100 for her favourite charity.
Claire, who celebrated her 29th birthday yesterday, invented the money-spinning idea of a sponsored run-a-day which began on her birthday, June 25, last year.
“I just thought it up as a way to make money for Smile Train, a charity which repairs cleft lips and palates for people and children all round the world,” said Claire, a page editor at the Telegraph & Argus.
“So I’ve run at least a mile every day, plus the Edinburgh Marathon, a half- marathon and two 10k races,” she said.
Her original goal was to run 1,000 miles – and she has comfortably beaten that by an extra 43 miles.
“I was originally aiming to raise £1,000 – £1 a mile – but my total has far exceeded anything I could have hoped for,” she said.
“I thought people might just think I was a bit crazy, but I have had such fantastic support and people have been amazingly generous.
“I am not a runner, I’ve never been particularly active and that’s why this was a big challenge for me.”
Claire, who lives in Guiseley and grew up in Wilsden, was born with a bilateral cleft lip and palate, a condition which leaves the mouth and nose mis-shaped and causes difficulty in eating and talking.
She has had 19 operations since first having surgery when just four months old.
Across the world, one in 700 babies is born with a cleft lip or palate – about 1,000 a year in the UK – yet few are lucky enough to have access to specialised treatment.
After a year on the move, Claire will deservedly put her feet up before settling on her next charity challenge.
“I can’t just sit around and do nothing, but I’ve thoroughly fleeced everyone I know, so the next thing will have to wait for a while!” she said.
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