FIVE plucky pals are striding out to raise money for a charity close to their hearts.
Kevin Betts, 36, Darren Simon, 31, Antony Simon, 23, John Keaney, 26, and Tony Farrin, 29, have pledged to run 100 kilometres each during March in aid of Breast Cancer Now.
They set out with a target of £1,500 but, in just a fortnight, have already totted up more than £2,500.
As they keep racking up the kilometres, the friends hope to keep raising more and more.
Mr Betts is store manager of the Morrisons supermarket on the Waterglade Retail Park, in Old Road, Clacton.
Going the whole jog - Kevin Betts and Darren Simon
He said: “This charity is very close to our hearts and, for personal reasons, we’d like to raise as much as possible to help fund research and care, to help save lives in the future.
“One in two of us will develop cancer in our lifetimes and a cancer diagnosis is utterly heartbreaking for anyone, regardless of their age.
“It’s life-changing.
“Treatment is gruelling and the after-effects of treatment can take years to recover from.
“A cancer diagnosis will change that person’s life forever.”
Keeping the pace - Antony Simon
Mr Betts lives in Holland-on-Sea while his four running friends live in Clacton.
At the time of going to press, he had managed 82 kilometres and collectively the group have managed 390km.
Mr Betts is enjoying the challenge and thrilled by the amount he and his pals have raised.
“All we ask is that people donate as much or as little as they can spare,” he said.
Going great runs - John Keaney
“Any donations will be greatly appreciated and we hope to raise as much as possible to donate to Breast Cancer Now, to help fund their research and help give cancer patients a brighter future.
“We’d like to thank everyone that has donated already.
“It means the world that people have supported us and we all hope we can complete the challenge.”
To make a donation, head to www.justgiving.com/fundraising/kevin-darren-antony-john.
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