Going the distance to fund disease research

A former Southwell Rugby Club player is tackling a series of long-distance running and triathlon challenges for charity.

Mr Richard Walker, 57, of Norwell, is raising money for the Doddie Weir Foundation, which supports research into the causes of motor neurone disease, and investigates potential cures.

He took up running, in a bid to lose weight, after retiring from rugby, and went on to complete three London Marathons, from 2013 to 2015, before taking up his first ironman challenge in Austria last year.

Mr Walker expanded the number of competitions he entered in 2018, and decided to raise money for charity after hearing that ex-rugby player Doddie Weir, a 47-year-old former Scotland international, had motor neurone disease.

He played as a lock in the latter stages of his playing career, the same position as Doddie.

“I read about Doddie and the struggles he had, and saw the percentage of rugby players who get this terrible disease is quite high,” Mr Walker said.

“It is an awful disease because your brain is working perfectly but the rest of your body just doesn’t respond how it normally would.

“I found out I played in the same position as Doddie and decided that more needed to be done to fund research.”

Mr Walker decided to donate money raised from all of his races this year to the foundation.

Mr Walker has already taken part in Ironman contests in Dubai, Mallorca and Stafford this year, as well as the Outlaw Half and the World ITU triathlon in Nottingham.

He plans to complete a Coast To Coast race in a few weeks’ time, as well as the Tenby Long Course Weekend, Outlaw Triathlon, Ironman Wales and Palma de Mallorca marathon in Mallorca.

“It is going to be a tough challenge, but I wanted to really test myself and raise as much money as I can for this cause,” Mr Walker said.

“There is a terrific community feel in triathlon.

“Everyone is supportive and I think it is because they know what goes into it.”

To support Mr Walker’s fundraising efforts visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/richard-walker59