Vicar of Dunnington, Holtby, Stockton-on-the-Forest and Warthill, and avid running enthusiast Revd Nick Bird will be celebrating his 50th year on earth by running 50 miles. This is not only to celebrate this milestone birthday, but also in order to raise money for Carecent – and the 50 homeless people for whom the charity provides clothes, friendship, and a place to wash.
On the 7th of June, Nick will be running from Whitby to Dunnington, a challenge that will see him run the length of just under two marathons, and what’s more, he hopes to run it in just 12 hours. This is a feat that is requiring an intense training schedule, with tens of miles being run most mornings.
This is far from the first challenge Revd Nick has set himself. In previous years, he has also done the Lyke Wake Walk (40 miles), Minster Way (52 miles), Jorvik Way (65 miles), as well as five York Marathons and a 55 mile (65 miles after the walk home) ‘DIY’ triathalon. Most of these were done in a single day due to limited time.
Of course, he wouldn’t be able to do all of these fantastic feats of endurance without the support of his family, friends, and parishoners, all of whom have been ‘wonderfully supportive’ and ‘fantastically generous’, Nick says, with his father coming up from Leicestershire to be a support driver on the day of this particular challenge.
The charity Nick is running for, Carecent, holds a special place in his heart, for the fantastic care it provides the homeless, unemployed, or otherwise socially excluded members of our community.
Speaking on the charity, Nick says “It's also salutary to hear stories of those who once had houses, jobs and families, but, because of various troubles, have now slid to a lower rung on the social ladder. Like the game of snakes and ladders, it can be a short move for any of us.”
Six mornings a week, Carecent provides breakfast, clothes, a place to wash, and friendship for those on the margins of society from its city centre location in the Central Methodist Church. The charity also does trips out, and connects those they help with agencies to strengthen support in the community, and aim to get people back on their feet.
If you’re wanting to sponsor this incredible journey and support the work of Carecent, please contact The Reverend Nick Bird at revnickbird@gmail.com, or click to donate here.
Update: The run was completed in 12 hours and 21 minutes, and so far, £1,900 has been raised overall.