FORMER Settle policeman Graham Wilson who moved to Harrogate and retired from the force in 2019 is completing 120 marathons to raise £50,000 for local and national good causes including medical and caring charities and art projects.
When he wasn’t walking the beat he was treading the boards as a member of Settle Amateur Operatic Society and vowed on retirement to raise money for causes he believed in.
The challenge was put on hold when Covid hit but since the lockdown easing and a subsequent 15-month delay, he has been getting into his stride on a daily basis.
His Facebook page explains his aim is to complete 120 marathons in 120 days over a number of countries and isles between the dates of June 26 to October 23.
He said: “The marathons will be made up of long distance walking routes.
"The mileage covered will be 3,180 miles equivalent of hiking from Leeds to New York City across the Atlantic and cover cover 26.5 miles per day for 120 days.
“The route is being planned to start and finish in Harrogate taking in Ireland, Northern Ireland, the Scottish Isles, Scotland, Wales, each county in England, Isle of Wight, Isle of Man, Isle of Anglesey and take in five national Trails."
Mr Wilson is well into his walking goal having set off for his 112th marathon in Settle on October 16 from outside the Victoria Hall, and is due to complete his task in Harrogate on Saturday.
Among the 15 beneficiaries are Yorkshire Air Ambulance, Macmillan Cancer Support, British Heart Foundation, Tiny Life, Harrogate Homeless Project, Disability Sports Yorkshire, along with several art groups.
The money will be split with 90 per cent going to medical and caring charities and 10 per cent to art projects.
He said theatres and groups provide for young and old alike and are the backbone of many small communities providing a lifeline as a community hub.
He has a Facebook page which can be found at: https://www.facebook.com/120marathonman
He also has a fundraising page where you can make a donation at: https://bit.ly/3BROgX9 which gives a progress report on how much his efforts have raised so far.
To date Mr Wilson has raised over £8,000 alongside his faithful dog, Tilly, a four-year-old Poochon ‘who loves to walk’.
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