Our community of fundraisers raise vital funds for our work through a variety of events, but Met Police sergeant Paul Hollis is taking running for Cardiomyopathy UK to new heights.
He has signed up for the Himalayan 100 Stage Race, which takes place over five days in November, with runners traversing isolated jungles, pine forests, villages and major rivers along a 100-mile course in the foothills of the Himalayas.
Paul is under no illusions how tough the race will be as right from Day 1, he’ll face 24 miles of trail running with an altitude gain of more than 10,000ft.
“In all honesty, I’m somewhere between excited and terrified about it and realise how much I’ve taken on when I see people’s reactions when I tell them!” he admitted.
Paul started running in 2010 after a knee injury prevented him doing contact sports and martial arts. That same year, he ran his first half-marathon for Cardiomyopathy UK after a friend’s stepfather was diagnosed with the condition.
“That started my friendship with Cardiomyopathy UK,” said Paul, who ran his first marathon for the charity three years later. “I have met some lovely people along the way and having realised what Cardiomyopathy UK does, I have kept you as my charity of choice.”