All through the course of 2025, we’ve heard of some outstanding fundraising endeavours throughout the MAN v FAT neighborhood. And, because the yr wound to a detailed, one of many MAN v FAT HQ workforce took on one of many hardest but.
Joe Hemmingsley, Regional Coordinator for the South Area, participated in a gruelling 24 hour problem to boost funds for Alzheimer’s Society.
The goal of the problem was to run 5k on the hour, each hour, for twenty-four hours. In that point, Joe lined a outstanding 105km, which got here to over 100,000 steps and 13,000 energy expended.
With the mud having settled on that occasion, and Joe now capable of stroll once more with out aches and pains, we caught up with him to seek out out extra.
Inform us a bit extra concerning the again story to why you bought concerned on this occasion
A fundraiser had been on my thoughts for some time. After seeing each my Nan and my associate’s Nan endure for such a protracted time frame with dementia, I felt an obligation to. After dropping each of them weeks aside, I used to be on the hunt for a problem – to do one thing of their reminiscence and lift cash for such an incredible trigger on the similar time. I selected the 24-hour occasion as I needed the problem to be brutal. I watched them undergo a dwelling hell for months, if not years. It appeared becoming to throw myself in on the deep finish – what’s 24 hours in spite of everything?!

What truly occurred on the evening? How did you get on in the course of the course of the night?
We began at 7.00am on the Saturday and completed simply after 7.00am on the Sunday (the final 5k took over an hour!). The primary half of the problem was comparatively snug – every 5k was accomplished sub half-hour, however that QUICKLY modified. At hour 12, we each fell off a proverbial cliff. The unique plan was ‘you go, I’m going’ format, which means 60km a bit over 24 hours.
After 8 5ks back-to-back, I had no alternative however to press on. Spirits had been very excessive in the course of the day, and we had numerous assist. Because the evening closed in, that’s when the problem turned mentally very tough.
Was it more durable than you imagined? How did you be sure you reached the tip?
Most undoubtedly! I used to be beneath the impression that nonetheless onerous it received, I might not less than stroll every 5k inside the hour, comfortably. If you end up bodily that sore, strolling 5km inside the hour turns into extraordinarily tough as it’s extra of a hobble. Damage prevention and administration was key to reaching the tip. Over the primary few runs; I had in my thoughts that I used to be going to try each hour. Nonetheless, I needed to go towards that 8 5kms in. If I hadn’t made that call, I believe reaching the tip would have been a wrestle. In the long run, I accomplished 105km out of the 120km whole.

What did you study your self by means of the course of the evening?
You study so much about your self in these early morning hours. You study that bodily you’re much more succesful than you imagined and mentally you’re much more resilient than you thought you had been. I really feel as if administration of emotion throughout these 24 hours has nice carryover to the on a regular basis challenges of life. It additionally makes going out working so much, lot simpler now.
What’s your subsequent problem?
I’ve a marathon booked subsequent April, which I’m unusually trying forwards to. Following that, I plan on trying into some ‘extremely endurance’ occasions. What that appears like, solely time will inform.
Need to reward Joe for his efforts?
This was a gargantuan effort by Joe and one which the remainder of the HQ workforce are very happy with him for. His fundraising web page stays open and also you can donate to a really worthy trigger right here.
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