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Young Newark footballer on track for World Record with NHS fundraising efforts

Monday, 25 May 2020 10:00

By Tia North @TiaJourno

16-year-old Boston United youth footballer, Josh Burkitt.

16-year-old Josh Burkitt is reaching the end of his 'half marathon a day' challenge for May, raising over £4,500 for the NHS and potentially setting a new World Record.

Today (May 25) kicks off the last stretch of Josh's challenge, which has seen him run a half marathon everyday for the whole of May. By the end of the week, Josh will have racked up over 400 miles in support of the NHS. 

A keen footballer who plays for Boston United, Josh was inspired by the running challenges he had seen circulating on social media and wanted to get involved. He has been documenting his runs everyday on his Facebook page, where he has received huge praise. 

Josh has also received the support of Nottingham Forest Football Club and several ex-professional football players. His Grandad has been biking alongside him, to keep him company during his 13.1 mile daily runs. 

Josh said: "At the start it was quite a challenge, but now it feels normal," 

"I've had a few issues that my Nanna was able to sort me out from, getting blisters and stuff like that. But after the first day my Grandad got involved, and ever since then I've been going from strength to strength." 

Thanks to his efforts, Josh may now be the holder of a new Guinness World Record. Previously, the male record for the most half marathons completed in one month was awarded to JC Santa Teresa of Florida, USA, for his efforts between 7 December 2017 and 3 January 2018.

You can check in on Josh's fundraising efforts every weekday morning at 8.15am, with Matt Colbourne on the Radio Newark breakfast show. 

If you'd like to support Josh, you can donate safely and securely via his GoFundMe Page. 

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