Fernwood man Michael Knapton joins team of runners for Leicester Tigers’ Will Findlay’s Blood Cancer UK fundraising challenge

A man is to run 50km in five days in aid of a cancer charity — as part of a team aiming to raise £50,000.

Michael Knapton, of Fernwood, will run 10km a day for five days at the end of March in aid of Blood Cancer UK.

A fan of the Leicester Tigers, he heard about the challenge run by the club’s Will Findlay on a podcast and decided to get involved.

“It’s the third challenge Will’s held for Blood Cancer UK,” Michael said.

“500 children a year are diagnosed with with blood cancer, so he’s trying to get 500 people involved, to represent each of those children.

“Once I heard about the challenge I decided I wanted to sign up.”

Michael aimed to raise £150 via his JustGiving page, which will go towards the team’s overall pot, and has already succeeded in reaching that target.

“I’ve got a bit of running experience, I’ve done the Newark Half Marathon a couple of times and the Robin Hood Half,” Michael added.

“I’ve not done so much running recently and I thought it would be a good opportunity to improve my fitness and get some more running into my legs.”

So far the team have raised a total of £2,039 of their £50,000 target, and participants can get involved from March 25 to 29, whether it’s running or walking the distance each day.

Blood Cancer UK works to provide research, support, and care into blood cancers, including leukaemia, lymphoma, and myeloma.