​Buxton fundraiser prepares for new 4,750 mile challenge

After running the entire length of Britain barefoot in 2015, Buxton fundraiser Aleks Kashefi, 37, is preparing to take on his most gruelling challenge yet.

Aleks recently presented the Stroke Association with more than £10,000 raised for the charity following his Barefoot Challenge. Now he is preparing to take his fundraising efforts even further by completing the 4,750 mile long E1 Euro Trail.

Aleks will start his challenge in Norway and work his way through six countries which include Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Switzerland, Italy and Sicily. He is planning to cover the whole route in under seven months, covering an average of 30 miles a day; the equivalent to climbing Everest nine times. Aleks is aiming to raise over £50,000 to be split between the Stroke Association and two other charities; Mountain Rescue and Thomas Thyer Foundation.

Aleks was initially inspired to fundraise for the Stroke Association after both his mother and grandfather had strokes. Although his mother has fully recovered, his grandfather sadly passed away in November 2013.

Aleks is now appealing to local businesses using a Crowd Funding page to help raise £5,000 to fund the challenge and enable him to hit successfully complete the trip and meet his fundraising target.

Aleks said: “In my last challenge I raised more than £10,000 by spending £2,000 of my own money. This time I want to raise at least £50,000 for three charities, so the adventure needs to be big and I need help to make it successful. The money provided by the crowd funding page, as well as other sponsorship sources yet to be confirmed, will be used to provide necessary equipment and supplies, as well as travel to and from the route. I’m asking for people to help make something incredible happen by raising awareness and money for three charities that are all close to my heart.”

Joanne Burr, Fundraising Assistant at the Stroke Association, said: “Aleks never ceases to amaze us, and this new fundraising challenge is even tougher and more demanding than ever before. We’re hopeful he is able to raise the money necessary to complete the challenge and we’re extremely grateful to him for his ongoing support. With the help of people like Aleks, the Stroke Association can continue to support stroke survivors and their families across the East Midlands, and together we can conquer stroke.”

To support Aleks in his quest to raise funds for the Stroke Association, Mountain Rescue and Thomas Thyer Foundation, visit: www.pledgesports.org/projects/running-from-norway-to-sicily/ or donate at: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/AleksKashefi

For more information about stroke, ring the Helpline on 0303 30 33 100 or visit www.stroke.org.uk.