Rich Williman's fundraising for the Ruth Strauss Foundation

Rich Williman, from York has signed up to next weekend’s Sheffield Mutual Sheffield 10K as part of his efforts to raise funds for the Ruth Strauss Foundation, by running 10K every day for 145 days.

Rich has taken on the challenge in tribute to his wife Erika who devastatingly passed away in July 2022 having been diagnosed 18 months earlier with stage four, incurable bowel cancer.

We caught up with Rich ahead of event day.

“I'm raising funds for the Ruth Strauss Foundation by running 10km every day for 145 days with various ‘Run For All’ 10k events as part of this! Why 145? well that's approximately the equivalent distance (900 miles or around 1450 kms) between the 18 county cricket grounds across England and Wales if you start in Durham and end at Lords. Whilst running the equivalent distance via daily 10k runs this year, I’m planning to actually walk the route next summer! 

“I’m taking on this challenge in tribute to my wife Erika who sadly passed away in July 2022 having been diagnosed 18 months earlier with stage 4, incurable bowel cancer. Despite receiving such devastating news Erika instinctively knew that we needed to talk to our children about her diagnosis and the cancer journey that lay ahead regardless of how painful and difficult this would be. She did so as she was determined that her cancer would not define them, their future or our family and that they would continue to thrive when she was no longer able to be with us.

“The bravery and selflessness she showed in doing so during this difficult time is beyond words but has been instrumental in helping the children and I prepare for and grieve her loss. In tribute to Erika and to build on her legacy we are supporting the amazing pre-bereavement work that the Ruth Strauss Foundation do in helping other families prepare their children for the very sad loss of a parent or carer. 

“Tragically, 41,000 children under the age of 18 are affected by the loss of a parent or carer each year in the UK. That's an average of 112 children each day who face such devastating loss. 

See below link to my JustGiving fundraising page:

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/richard-williman2

“On behalf of every young person and their family who will benefit from your donation, thank you”

Good luck Rich, we can't wait to cheer you across the finish line! 

Entries are still open for the Sheffield Mutual Sheffield 10K taking place on Sunday 29th September. To find out more and enter, potential participants are encouraged to click here