Ryan said about his challenge, “I decided to do a sponsored 7 Stone weight loss, then complete a half marathon (13.1 miles) run in Summer 2019; the run was from Easington Colliery to Seaton Carew…….

My start weight was 24st 13lb and my fitness levels terrible, so this was a massive challenge… I trained hard for 6 months, losing 9.5st altogether, finally weighing in at 15st 7lb.

During this time I had a complete lifestyle change, I changed my, undertook intense training and lots of time went into doing this! All of the money raised went to a charity exceptionally close to My Nana Ellen’s heart, ‘The Kay Smith Fund’.  Kay was my Nana’s beloved Niece, who sadly lost her life to Breast Cancer in 2006. The Kay Smith Fund has raised money in memory of the much loved and missed Kay and has so far donated over £125,000 to Counselling and Support services at Alice House as well as further donations to other cancer-related Charities.  My Nana Ellen had herself completed fundraisers for the charity such as the Midnight Walk.

Along the way, I was constantly supported by my family, as well as receiving help from local fitness groups such as Run Fit Hartlepool who donated a bike to help me lose weight, Dan Charters PT who helped me with nutritional advice and Jamie Read at AbsoluteX Fitness, who’s 6-week challenge Bootcamp I attended.”