Former Ripon Grammar School student John Clark has completed a remarkable feat of endurance by finishing 48 marathons in 48 days in 48 English counties.
In doing so, he has so far raised almost £38,000 for children in food poverty. He aims to achieve £48,000 and donations can still be made through www.JustGiving.com/campaign/484848
Mr Clark’s own family struggled to survive on benefits after his father suffered life-changing injuries in a work accident.
His mighty marathon venture, which amounted to 1,248 miles, finished in Worcester.
John Clark during his school days at Ripon Grammar.
The 34-year-old, who left Ripon Grammar in 2003, said:
“The challenge was even more physically and mentally demanding as I expected but the support of so many people kept me moving forwards.
“From injuries, to blisters, to extreme wet weather conditions and heatwaves there were new and interesting challenges almost daily but each day, 26.2 miles got finished regardless.
“The 48/48/48 wasn’t just about raising funding but also raising awareness.
“Throughout the challenge so many conversations were had, radio, television airtime given and newspaper columns written about the crisis this country faces and the 48. It felt like we were genuinely making a difference.
“It was about planting seeds around the country with the ambassadors, runners and schools that support the project and our hope is that those that ran with me will go on to create their own Miles4Meals events in the future to continue the financial support and awareness raising that our nations foodbanks and charities need.”
Mr Clark, who has competed in international strongman events and now owns a chain of gyms, set up the charity Miles4Meals to help families facing the same issues that he did as a child.
His life changed when his father Alan, a roofer, broke his back and shattered his foot in a fall after scaffolding collapsed.
Mr Clark added:
“I understand the difficulties families face and the hard choices that need to be made with minimal budgets available for basic living expenses.
“I hope to make a difference, so others don’t have to experience the same as I did.”
The coronavirus pandemic has increased problems faced by families across the UK with an estimated 8.4 million people living in food poverty.
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Andrew Jones MP branded ‘hypocrite’ and ‘out of touch’ over foodbank picture
Harrogate & Knaresborough Conservative MP Andrew Jones has been branded a “hypocrite” and “out of touch” by the local Green party after he posed for a picture to promote Harrogate District Foodbank earlier this week.
Mr Jones posted an article on his website Community News alongside two of his caseworkers, Stephen Culpin and the Harrogate Borough Council councillor Matt Scott, that said the pair would be attending sessions of Harrogate Foodbank to offer “advice and support”.
In the article, Mr Jones is quoted as saying:
“It’s important that we tackle the long-term underlying problems which cause people to visit Foodbanks in the first place.”
However, Harrogate & District Green Party member Arnold Warneken, who is a former HBC councillor and stood to become a Bilton county councillor earlier this year, told the Stray Ferret that he believes Mr Jones has contributed to the need for foodbanks through his voting record since he became an MP in 2010.
On 53 occasions Mr Jones has voted to cut spending on welfare benefits. He has also consistently voted against paying higher benefits for those unable to work due to illness or disability. He voted in favour of the so-called “bedroom tax” 16 times.
Mr Warneken said:
“If you look at his voting record on benefits it’s disgraceful.
The Conservatives should put policies in place to protect people, but they don’t. There is hypocrisy there.
“I think Andrew Jones is out of touch, hypocritical and has the power to make change but he’s ineffective.”
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Mr Warneken set up Ainsty Community Larder from his farm where he distributes food and medicine to those in need.
He accused the MP of “electioneering and getting brownie points” by posing for the “staged” picture.
“If he was quietly doing it in the background I’d give him a pat on the back.
“But he’s smiling, whats he smiling for? He is saying, ‘Arent we wonderful, a problem we created we are getting credit for solving.
“Humility is something people should adopt.”
The Stray Ferret asked Mr Jones to respond to Mr Warneken’s comments but we did not receive a response.
On Community News, he said:
‘Nobody need go hungry’ in lockdown, say Nidderdale churches“Over the years my casework team have helped hundreds steer the maze which is the benefits system to get cash which is available to them.”
A helping hand is being extended to people struggling to make ends meet in Nidderdale.
The cumulative financial impact of the Covid-19 lockdowns is taking its toll on families and individuals.
The Vicar of St Cuthbert’s, the Rev Darryl Hall, is involved with the informal foodbank service based in Pateley Bridge.
He told the Stray Ferret:
“We are currently very well-placed to assist anybody who is in need of help.
“We receive incredible support from the local community – churchgoers and non-churchgoers alike.
“The shops in Pateley Bridge have been brilliant in supporting a food voucher scheme we introduced. Morrisons Supermarket in Ripon regularly gives us food and other essential items – such as cleaning products.”
He added:
“Our aim is to ensure that people do not go without food. Nobody in Nidderdale need go hungry.”
Foodbank supporter Sarah Jones collecting items donated by Morrisons in Ripon (Photograph: Morrisons Supermarkets)
Rev Hall has charge of six parishes in a 100-square mile area stretching from Low Laithe to Middlesmoor.
He pointed out:
“The need is clearly there, as families and individuals find themselves having to make difficult financial decisions.
“We are here and able to help, thanks to the tremendous assistance from Bewerley Park outdoor learning centre and its staff.
“They have provided a much-valued storage facility that enables us to have plenty of food items available.”
The service is confidential, discreet and available to anybody – believers and non-believers alike.
The foodbank service has been extended to the neighbouring parish of Dacre with Hartwith and Darley with Thornthwaite.
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Alastair Ferneley, the vicar of Holy Trinity Church, Dacre Banks, told his parishioners:
“As the pandemic continues, we are aware that some people will not getting an income and may need some short-term support.
“Please do use this service to avoid getting into debt, or to lessen debt problems.”
Anybody requiring assistance can call Rev Hall on 01423 711414, Rev Ferneley on 01423 780262, or Nidderdale Plus on 01423 714953.