Keen runner Chris completes 100km in 10 day challenge to raise vital funds for the NHS

Posted by rob smyth | Published: 04/06/2020

A Central England Co-op store manager has raised vital funds for the NHS by completing the mammoth challenge of running 100km in 10 days.

Chris Frary, who runs the Halesworth Food Store, in Saxons Way, Suffolk, is enjoying a well-earned rest after turning his love of running into a way of collecting over £800 for NHS Charities Together.

The fitness fanatic thanked all those that had backed him as he reflected on completing his major charity effort – all completed while he was annual leave and after working around the clock with his team to ensure the local community continued to have access to vital food and essentials during these uncertain times.

He said: “The whole experience has been fantastic. I went through a few emotions along the way, starting with excitement, quickly followed by a little nervousness at the distance in front of me and staying fit to complete it.

“However everyday amazed me as to how much your body can cope with, especially when you know what a brilliant cause you are doing it for.

“I had to ensure I took time to cool down and stretch after each run, just to lower the impact on my muscles.

“The impact undertaking a challenge like this has on your mental health is indescribable, so it was great that I did the challenge in what was Mental Health Awareness Week.

“The messages of support were fantastic and I cannot thank people enough for backing me all the way.

“I am so pleased to have raised over £800 for a good cause that will support frontline workers who are going above and beyond for people who are ill.

“Now I am trying to think of another challenge to take on, maybe something a little harder.”

People can still donate by heading to 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