All through the course of 2025, we’ve heard of some outstanding fundraising endeavours throughout the MAN v FAT group. And, because the 12 months wound to an in depth, one of many MAN v FAT HQ crew took on one of many hardest but.
Joe Hemmingsley, Regional Coordinator for the South Area, participated in a gruelling 24 hour problem to boost funds for Alzheimer’s Society.
The intention of the problem was to run 5k on the hour, each hour, for twenty-four hours. In that point, Joe coated a outstanding 105km, which got here to over 100,000 steps and 13,000 energy expended.
With the mud having settled on that occasion, and Joe now capable of stroll once more with out aches and pains, we caught up with him to seek out out extra.
Inform us a bit extra in regards to the again story to why you bought concerned on this occasion
A fundraiser had been on my thoughts for some time. After seeing each my Nan and my associate’s Nan undergo for such a protracted time frame with dementia, I felt an obligation to. After dropping each of them weeks aside, I used to be on the hunt for a problem – to do one thing of their reminiscence and lift cash for such an incredible trigger on the similar time. I selected the 24-hour occasion as I wished the problem to be brutal. I watched them undergo a residing hell for months, if not years. It appeared becoming to throw myself in on the deep finish – what’s 24 hours in spite of everything?!
What really occurred on the evening? How did you get on through the course of the night?
We began at 7.00am on the Saturday and completed simply after 7.00am on the Sunday (the final 5k took over an hour!). The primary half of the problem was comparatively snug – every 5k was accomplished sub half-hour, however that QUICKLY modified. At hour 12, we each fell off a proverbial cliff. The unique plan was ‘you go, I am going’ format, that means 60km a bit over 24 hours.
After 8 5ks back-to-back, I had no alternative however to press on. Spirits had been very excessive through the day, and we had plenty of help. Because the evening closed in, that’s when the problem turned mentally very troublesome.
Was it tougher than you imagined? How did you be sure you reached the tip?
Most undoubtedly! I used to be below the impression that nonetheless onerous it obtained, I might a minimum of stroll every 5k inside the hour, comfortably. When you find yourself bodily that sore, strolling 5km inside the hour turns into extraordinarily troublesome as it’s extra of a hobble. Harm prevention and administration was key to reaching the tip. Over the primary few runs; I had in my thoughts that I used to be going to try each hour. Nonetheless, I needed to go in opposition to that 8 5kms in. If I hadn’t made that call, I believe reaching the tip would have been a battle. In the long run, I accomplished 105km out of the 120km complete.
What did you study your self by way of the course of the evening?
You be taught quite a bit about your self in these early morning hours. You be taught that bodily you might be much more succesful than you imagined and mentally you might be much more resilient than you thought you had been. I really feel as if administration of emotion throughout these 24 hours has nice carryover to the on a regular basis challenges of life. It additionally makes going out operating quite a bit, lot simpler now.
What’s your subsequent problem?
I’ve a marathon booked subsequent April, which I’m surprisingly wanting forwards to. Following that, I plan on wanting into some ‘extremely endurance’ occasions. What that appears like, solely time will inform.
Need to reward Joe for his efforts?
This was a gargantuan effort by Joe and one which the remainder of the HQ crew are very pleased with him for. His fundraising web page stays open and also you can donate to a really worthy trigger right here.
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