Press release -
Buxton fundraiser to run the length of Britain barefoot for charity
Aleks Kashefi, 37, from Buxton, is preparing to take on the most gruelling challenge of his life – running the entire length of Britain barefoot.
Aleks, a science teacher at Buxton Community School, will ditch the trainers when he runs 12,006 miles from John O’Groats to Land’s End. He’ll begin the challenge on Sunday 26 July, to raise vital funds for the Stroke Association.
He was inspired to run the challenge and fundraise for the charity after both his mother and grandfather had strokes. Although his mum has fully recovered, his grandfather had several strokes and sadly passed away in November 2013.
Aleks said: “I started running barefoot about a year ago. I’d started running to improve my health and found my feet getting all hot and bothered, so tried barefoot running shoes, before ditching them altogether. I have run ultra-marathons before and recently completed the 61 mile Fellsman – I was the first person to do it barefoot!”
Aleks is aiming to complete a minimum of 28 miles a day. He added: “As a teacher, I have given myself just six weeks to complete the challenge. The whole idea is to do this unsupported so I’ll be travelling with a tent, although some people have offered me their couch or spare bed.
“We lost my grandfather as a result of multiple strokes. I watched him change from a strong and confident man to a shadow of his former self, both physically and mentally. I also witnessed my mother have a stroke at an early age so I was inspired to raise as much money as possible for the Stroke Association. I want to help them continue the amazing work they do supporting stroke survivors and families in the East Midlands.”
Louise Knight, Community and Events Fundraising Manager at the Stroke Association, said: ‘We’ll be cheering Alex on every step of the way as he takes on this unique and extremely demanding challenge. With the help of people like Alex, the Stroke Association can continue to support stroke survivors and their families across the East Midlands, and together we can conquer stroke.”
To sponsor Aleks, visit https://www.justgiving.com/barefootlejog/ To find out more about fundraising for the Stroke Association, visit www.stroke.org.uk/fundraise
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A stroke is a brain attack which happens when the blood supply to the brain is cut off, caused by a clot or bleeding in the brain. There are around 152,000 strokes in the UK every year and it is the leading cause of severe adult disability. There are over 1.2 million people in the UK living with the effects of stroke.
Stroke Association is a charity. We believe in life after stroke and together we can conquer stroke. We work directly with stroke survivors and their families and carers, with health and social care professionals and with scientists and researchers. We campaign to improve stroke care and support people to make the best recovery they can. We fund research to develop new treatments and ways of preventing stroke. The Stroke Helpline (0303 303 3100) provides information and support on stroke. More information can be found at www.stroke.org.uk
