Halifax soldier's marathon effort to raise thousands for charity

Corporal Jordan Mather, from the Yorkshire Regiment, 1st Battalion, undertook the gruelling challenge from October 25-30 to raise money for the Halifax-based Yorkshire Children’s Trust, and ended up running a remarkable 168 miles.

The Trust provide grants to help families with sick or disabled children, towards the cost of medical treatment, equipment, home modifications or respite holidays.

The 25-year-old, from Southowram, said: “I only had limited training for it, so I just threw myself into it. Positive mental attitude, like I tell my recruits.

“I had a few niggles and pains as it went on, but the last one, I did it with a mate of mine, and after eight miles, my knees went, my feet went, I was dragging my left leg.

“I nearly collapsed four times, I started going dizzy. I could hardly see my mate.

“I expected it to be tough, but I told myself it was going to be tougher than it was so it didn’t seem as difficult.

“The worst thing was having to come into work. I was going to do it from Halifax to Kendal and back, but I got called to work down south, so I had to get up sometimes at 2am to run and then go into work.

“One day I had to do an eight-mile march carrying kit.

“It was hard going but the thought of who I was doing it for got me through it.

“I wanted to do it for something local, and for children. So I was just searching online and the Trust came up.

Jordan has raised more than £3,000 so far, but is expecting that figure to rise.

“I would do it again,” he added. “I’m going to something bigger next time.

“I’m happy as Larry with what I’ve raised.”