One Stop driver raises over £3,000 for Portsmouth Down Syndrome Association
Chris Wilby, a Driver Trainer Instructor at One Stop Stores’ distribution centre in Nursling has taken on an incredible running challenge and has raised over £3,000 (and counting!) for Portsmouth Down Syndrome Association.
Chris, who has worked at One Stop for 10 years, has ran from One Stop’s Nursling distribution centre to 18 different One Stop stores, eventually finishing at the 18th store on Hayling Avenue. The challenge took place on Saturday 16th September and was all in aid of a local charity; Portsmouth Down Syndrome Association. The full run totaled just over 39 miles, across towns and villages such as Nursling, Titchfield, and Fareham.
One Stop Hayling Avenue have previously raised £2,250 for the Portsmouth Down Syndrome Association and Chris is hoping to raise more for the charity!
Chris spoke to us about how the challenge went: “I am so thrilled – the conditions weren’t perfect for doing a long-distance run like that, but I battled through to make it to the finish line – despite getting lost a few times and adding just over 2 extra miles onto my route!
Plenty of colleagues came to support me along the route, with some even travelling from outside of the area. I can’t thank everyone enough for all of their support and donations, as well as the stores helping with their fundraising efforts.”
Despite only returning to running a little over 2 years ago, Chris soon realised he had been missing out on an activity he really enjoyed, so he joined Portsmouth Joggers (PJC). The group meet at Lakeside on Tuesdays and Thursdays and since joining, Chris has ran 5K, 10K, half marathons and more. Chris was then soon introduced to trail and ultra running – running anything that goes beyond a traditional marathon distance!
Having completed a 50 mile and a 100K ultra this year, Chris decided he would like to use his love of running to raise much needed funds for the Portsmouth Down Syndrome Association – and he has done just that!
To donate to the cause, please visit: https://bit.ly/45twIyV