Directors from Shropshire insurance brokers push the boundaries for charity

Mark Freeman and Dave Williams, from Henshalls in Newport and Shrewsbury, took part in gruelling challenges that really tested their strength and endurance.

And their amazing efforts have raised almost £3,000 for three charities – the Midlands Air Ambulance, the Lingen Davies Cancer Relief Fund, and Prostate Cancer UK.

Mark took part in the Loch Ness Marathon, and Dave completed a 50-mile hike in just 17 hours to finish the Longmynd Challenge.

“I have been saying I would do a marathon for the past 30 years, and this year I reached the big 5-0 and was beginning to wonder whether my old body would be able to do it before it was too late,” said Mark.

“So I signed up to run my first ever marathon in the fantastic setting of Loch Ness – but I’ll never run another marathon again!

“I finished in a very disappointing time of four hours 55 minutes, but my hip started playing up after nine miles, and I can honestly say if it hadn’t been for the generosity of my sponsors I would have given up.”
And not to be outdone, Dave decided to take on the 50-mile hike covering eight peaks, 8,000ft of climbing, difficult terrain, and with the majority of the challenge completed in the dark, in a target time of 24 hours.

“I knew that in those conditions, with two dodgy knees, the hike would not be easy, but I was determined to finish and to repay everyone’s kind generosity who had agreed to sponsor me.

“It was a huge personal challenge for me, and to complete the route in just 17 hours was an amazing feeling. In fact, it has really given me a taste for these epic fund raising efforts – in fact, I’m now already thinking about a charity cycle ride to Paris next year, so watch this space!”