Co-op manager from Suffolk swaps work shoes for running trainers to tackle 100k in 10 day challenge to raise funds for the NHS

Posted by rob smyth | Published: 14/05/2020

A Central England Co-op store manager from Suffolk is taking on a mammoth challenge to raise money for the NHS – by running 100km in 10 days.

Keen runner Chris Frary, who manages the Halesworth Food Store, in Saxons Way, is set to use his love of fitness to show support for the amazing work of frontline health workers during these uncertain times.

Starting on Saturday 23 May, he plans to complete the ambitious effort during a short break from work, where he and his team have been working around the clock to ensure the local community have had and continue to have access to vital food and essentials.

All money raised will be donated to NHS Charities Together and Chris is now appealing for people to support his fund-raising efforts.

The 36-year-old said: “I am a keen runner and have been thinking over the last few weeks of ways that I could utilise my love for running to help support the amazing work the NHS has been doing for our country.

“Being key workers ourselves, we get a lot of thanks and support from the local community, but taking a step back and looking at what those who work within the NHS are doing puts into context how lucky we are. 

“All of this compelled me to try and do something to help them now and in the future.

“I had a holiday booked at the back end of May and thought over the 10 days from the start of my holiday to the end I would challenge myself to do something I have not done before.

“Therefore I am trying to attempt running 100km in 10 days. I wanted to raise £300 but have already reached that point so now I am just going to keep trying to raise as much money as possible for such a great cause.

“If anyone can support please visit my Just Giving page and help us say thank you to our amazing NHS.”

Anyone who would like to donate can do so by visiting https://bit.ly/35OXYdK

Notes to editors

Picture caption: Chris Frary.

About Central England Co-operative

Central England Co-operative is one of the largest independent retail co-operative societies in the UK with interests in food, funeral, floral, travel and property investment.

Co-operatives have always been there for their communities; they were formed to protect them and help them flourish. 

Our 7,900 colleagues who serve Members and customers work hard to ensure that co-operative values, principles and spirit flow through everything we do to help support and improve our local communities.

Owned by hundreds of thousands of Members, we have over 430 trading outlets across 16 counties including West Midlands, Warwickshire, Worcestershire, Staffordshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Rutland, Nottinghamshire, Northamptonshire, Lincolnshire, West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, Suffolk, Norfolk, Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire. 

We are proud of our reputation for ethical business practices and corporate responsibility.

We invest a percentage of our trading profit into local communities through our Community Dividend Fund scheme, have donated over £1.3 million to our corporate charity partner Dementia UK and also operate a pioneering food redistribution partnership with FareShare Midlands so unsold food goes to those in need.

Visit www.centralengland.coop for more information or follow us on Facebook or Twitter using @mycoopfood

Press office contacts: Rob Smyth and James Brindle

Phone - 01543 421390

Email - publicrelations@centralengland.coop