A personal trainer from Heysham is undertaking a gruelling charity challenge in memory of his mum.
Ben Clifton’s ‘Burpee Bonanza’ is raising money for North West Cancer Research and Vasculitis UK.
Next year, on January 12, Ben will attempt the challenge, which will be to complete ten rounds, and will see him running between 200 metres and one kilometre, followed by completing between 10 and 50 burpees.
In total, Ben will run around 30 kilometres and complete 1,500 burpees, in a challenge expected to take around 10 hours to complete.
A burpee is a high intensity, repetitive exercise, incorporating a pushup followed by a jump squat.
Ben said: ‘’I'm fundraising in honour of two incredibly important people in my life.
‘’My friend Graham Sims, who has helped countless new dads when they have been suffering at the beginning of their parental journey. Graham helped me at my lowest point and I owe him a lot. Sadly he was diagnosed with terminal cancer this year.
‘’And my mum. One of the fittest and healthiest 71 year olds you could meet. In June this year she started to feel unwell. Seven weeks later she was gone.''
‘’Vasculitis is a little known illness that can hit anyone. I'm fundraising in honour of mum and to fund vital research in helping prevent less suffering in the future.’’
‘’My aim is to raise £1,000 for each of the charities, and any help you can give would be greatly appreciated.
‘’It will be far from pleasant but that's nothing compared to what the people who suffer with these two terrible illnesses go through so please give what you can.’’
You can donate to Ben’s challenge here
Ben, who as well as his work as a personal trainer, also works for Lancaster firm FGH Security, is no stranger to physical charity challenges.
Last year, Ben took on the 9 in 48 challenge, climbing nine mountains in 48 hours, including Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike, the Yorkshire three peaks overnight, and Snowdon.