Pair ran three marathons in just one day to raise money for CALM

Two ex-service personnel from Mossley ran three marathons in 24 hours to raise cash for charity.

Karl Law, 45, and Louise Hallsworth, 38, ran 120km in just one day, fundraising for CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably). 

The couple completed 5km every hour, by running two interchangeable routes around Stalybridge and Mossley.

They began their epic run at 5pm on November 28 and finished at 5pm on the 29th. Throughout, they received socially distanced support from members of Mossley Running Club, where they are active members.

Louise and Karl are also ex-service personnel from the Royal Corps of Signals.

On his motivation for the fundraiser, Karl said: “We feel we are doing a little something to help people who suffer in silence and don’t feel that they have a way out. 

“Mental health affects everyone in some way, no matter how strong we think we are it can come out of nowhere, and really knock you for six.

“We have both had our struggles in the past, but we are lucky and have close friends who we can talk to, even if we don’t want to, it can be noticed when something is not right, some people don’t have that support, whether they are serving, ex-military or just civilians.”

Louise added: “Just a few things that are motivating me are seeing, on a weekly basis, men who haven’t been able to ignore their demons or see a way forward through a fog and taken their own lives.

“They are usually quite young as well and it is all so sad and just a waste. 

“If only they could reach out or knew there was help. 

“We’ve lost friends through suicide and I don’t think enough is being done to help people. 

“You hardly ever see adverts for mental health help never mind suicide awareness.”

Their close friend, Lee Slingsby, described Karl and Louise as kind, amazing and determined. 

He said: “It takes a strong person to be in the military, however it takes a special person to carry on giving once they leave the forces.”

The pair have already raised a fantastic £2,410 of their initial £500 and hope to raise even more money for CALM.

You can still donate to the cause at: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/lou-ed?utm_source=Sharethis&utm_medium