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On 6 January 2018, Nathan Pereira set himself the herculean task of running 5km every day for an entire year. Twelve months on and the 21 year old from Maidstone in Kent has completed the challenge.
As well as raising an amazing £5,006 for Heart of Kent Hospice – beating his own target of £1,825 – Nathan has achieved something extraordinary to mark the 5th anniversary of the death of his mum, Kate.
Nathan had just turned 15 when he lost his mum to cancer. One of six children, Nathan’s family were all actively involved in sport: “I have always played sport from a young age, and there was no better feeling than playing well in front of my mum and dad and making them proud.”
With sport playing such an important part in Nathan’s life, a sporting challenge seemed like a fitting way to mark his mum’s death. Nathan threw himself into the challenge, running wherever he happened to be in the world, and whatever the weather, from a cruise ship in the Caribbean to an icy winter in the UK.
Nathan’s final run started out from Heart of Kent Hospice in Aylesford, where his mum and family received the care and support of the dedicated Heart of Kent Hospice team. His run ended at the Kent Fire Rescue Service HQ in Tovil: “Sport has a special place in my heart and so does my mum. This challenge, and raising money for Heart of Kent Hospice, has been the best way I could commemorate her.”
Karen Newton, Community Partnerships Fundraiser at Heart of Kent Hospice said: “We’re so incredibly proud and grateful of what Nathan has achieved. Running every day come rain, snow and extreme heat, and regardless of how he was feeling, is just outstanding. The amazing total he’s raised could pay for a patient to be cared for on our Inpatient Unit for nine days.”
Throughout his 365 day mission, Nathan encouraged others to take part in sport as well, throwing down his own challenge in offering to donate £2 for every person who committed to running 5km a week for a year. He’s delighted that some people have taken up his challenge and hopes they will continue after their year is over.
If you would like to tell us about a challenge you are taking on this year please email karen.newton@hokh.co.uk or to find out more about Nathan and his 365-day challenge, visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/nathan-pereira
