A KEEN runner will take on a Christmas Day marathon in support of a woman who is recovering from a tragic accident.
While most people will be opening presents on Christmas morning, Chris Young, of Cleator Moor, will be putting on his running shoes, getting ready to set off on a 26-mile route.
It is all for a good cause – to raise funds for community stalwart, Sharon Graham, who is recovering from a bad fall at her home.
Sharon, who was the community champion for Morrisons supermarket in Whitehaven, has been treated in hospital for paralysis from the neck down, following the accident a few months ago.
A crowdfunding page was set up by Jordan Mattinson to raise the money needed to allow her to continue her rehabilitation at home. It has raised over £18,000.
Chris now hopes to raise even more money to help alleviate the costs of carrying out the required adjustments to Sharon’s home.
He said: “She’s been a stalwart in the community for a long, long time. She provided a massive amount of support for Jordan Mattinson during Covid. I just wanted to give back to her.” 
The marathon is expected to take around four and a half hours to complete.
Chris said: “It will set me up for my Christmas dinner! It’s a bigger commitment doing it on Christmas Day. I’m hoping it will drum up more support and people can recognise it’s a bit of a sacrifice and support her.
“Christmas Day isn’t a good day for everybody as well so it gives people the option if they want to get out or get a run done as well."
A number of fundraisers have also been held by Sharon's colleagues at Morrisons.
Steven Kirkbride, Morrisons Whitehaven store manager, said: "Sharon is an extremely popular colleague and she is also well known throughout the town as she was our Community Champion.
"Her friends in the store have been keen to do what we can to help renovate her home so that she can move back into it as quickly as possible."
Chris will be setting off from his home at Mill Hill in Cleator Moor at 8am on Christmas Day. He is expected to arrive at Rowrah between 10.15 and 10.30am.
For more details search for ‘Running Man’ on Facebook. To donate, go to: www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/chris-young-5
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