NOTTINGHAM author Nikki Love, 53, had planned to run 2,500 miles across Australia this year to raise funds for childhood cancer research charity Children with Cancer UK but due to COVID-19 her plans were put on hold. Instead, she is now taking on the challenge from home – running the distance of a marathon and a half (40 miles), every day for just over eight weeks.
Nikki’s original 2,500 mile route across her home country was slightly more scenic than her Nottingham garden, starting at Cottesloe Beach, Perth, and ending at Bondi Beach, in Sydney. Due to the pandemic and current travel restrictions she has had to postpone the challenge to 2021. However, determined to put her fitness to good use and raise vital funds for Children with Cancer UK Nikki decided to carry out what she’s calling a “practice run” of the 2,500 miles but on a treadmill at home.
So far, Nikki has raised £877 for Children with Cancer UK and hopes to raise £10,000 in total. Mother of one, Nikki, said of the challenge:“So far it’s been a major test of endurance – especially during the recent heatwave – and I think the hardest part will be dealing with the varied weather conditions inside the gazebo. I’ve also had an ankle injury that I was receiving acupuncture treatment for right up to the week before I started, and I have just started hormone replacement therapy to help with my menopausal symptoms but I’m determined to finish it.
“UK charities, like Children with Cancer UK, have been badly affected by the pandemic due to major fundraising events being postponed or cancelled – I’m hoping, through this challenge, I’ll be able to provide some support to the charity, and the families they look after, in their time of need.
“I’ve chosen to fundraise for Children with Cancer UK because every day in the UK, 12 children and young people are diagnosed with cancer – and as a mother myself I cannot imagine how devastating that must be for those families. Many people also don’t realise that cancer in children is very different from cancer in adults and needs its own specialist research, which is what Children with Cancer UK works hard to fund.”
Nikki started her 40-mile a day running challenge on 1 August and is due to finish at the end of October.
To support Nikki and her chosen charity, visit: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/run-across-oz-cwc
