Running man Craig Butterworth has stepped up to the challenge to raise more than £5,000 for a wonderful cause in memory of his son George. 

Craig successfully undertook the David Goggins 4 x 4 x 48 challenge – running 48 miles in 48 hours at the weekend.

Based at Ashton’s Village Hotel, he ran two miles to Droylsden and back to complete the four mile challenge every four hours, starting out at 4am on Saturday.  

He said he owes everyone who helped and supported him along the way a ‘huge thank you’ as his fundraising effort spiralled upward to such a great figure.

“I never thought I’d raise that amount – I set out to hopefully raise £1,000 so to raise more than £5,000 is just amazing,” said Craig.

He said he would like to thank everyone who supported him in the challenge and who came and ran certain legs with him.

Originally from Droylsden, Craig said someone had even put up a banner for him in the town which read ‘Keep going Craig’.

“It was the most draining and challenging experience of my life but I managed to keep my legs strong.”

Craig barely got any sleep throughout the 48 hours, dozing off only for 30 minutes before his first four mile run at midnight on Saturday night.

Craig said he would like to thank all of his friends for supporting him and running with him during the effort.

Plus the Village Hotel at Ashton for looking after him throughout, providing him with a dedicated room where he could rest and feeding him for free.

“There are too many people to thank individually but I do owe Ben Cole at BEC Rehab a special mention.

“After my third run my legs were locking up and I couldn’t carry on and he drove across from Rochdale, on his day off, with his children and gave me a very expensive piece of massage equipment and lots of sport drinks that ‘saved the day’.”

Craig completed the challenge for a very special cause in memory of his son George Butterworth-Sice.

George sadly passed away last year from leukaemia aged just 13.  

The Mossley Hollins pupil was described by his school as ‘a truly fantastic student who made a great impression on all those he came into contact with. He was bright, caring and popular’. 

In his memory a special project to create a new recreational space for young people at Baden House on Carrhill Road in Mossley is underway – the centre to be named ‘George’s Den’. 

Craig said: “George was so amazing and unique and a huge part of the community of his home town Mossley and is greatly missed by family and friends.  

“In recent months the 1st Mossley Scout Group, a group that George was a huge part of, had the idea to create a new provision for teenagers - a charity focussing on what is important to young people."  

He went on: “The charity will hopefully develop a big online presence and will be aiming to provide pop up sessions in various locations, offering one off events such as gaming, art, drama and more.  

“The headquarters will be at Baden House, Mossley (the Scout building). It will be a “safe space” for teenagers. It will feature a snug and a pool table amongst other entertainment for the teenagers. I was overcome with emotion when I learned that the name of the new charity was to be “George’s Den”, in honour of my gorgeous boy. 

“I know George would have been overwhelmed by the whole idea and it’s potential,” added Craig.  

He will present all the money he raises from the challenge to 1st Mossley where George was a cub and scout. 

His GoFundMe page which can be found at https://www.gofundme.com/f/raise-funding-for-georges-den remains open at present so there is still time to donate to the cause if you would like.

Craig says he’s planning to undertake a challenge each year in George’s memory.

Images and video by Nigel Wood

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