A FUNDRAISER has survived an electric shock, encounters with wildlife and getting lost to raise more than £1,000 for two good causes.
Nick Hannah took on the challenge of running from the north of England to East Lothian after forming a friendship with Sean Crawford.
Dad-of-one Sean, who lived in Athelstaneford, sadly passed away earlier this summer after he and Nick had planned to tackle his weight struggles and complete a parkrun.
Following Sean's death, Nick decided to carry on with the challenge and raise money for Prestonpans-based DadsWork, where Sean was a trustee, and Action Cerebral Palsy as was planned.
The finish line saw Nick, who lives near Huddersfield in West Yorkshire, complete the parkrun at Meadowmill last Saturday morning.
He said: “The weekend itself was fantastic.
“Saturday was brilliant and we had a piper there, lots of Sean’s family and friends came and DadsWork set up a gazebo.
“That was fantastic but the week itself was quite eventful.
“I nearly got hit by a golf ball, I was electrocuted and my toenails were black, but I survived!”
Nick, who is a personal trainer, reached out to Sean after reading an article about him in March last year.
READ MORE: Nick Hannah taking on 100-mile run for friend Sean Crawford
Together, they had regular online discussions about what could be done tackle to his weight issues.
The friendship helped Sean to lose a stone over a number of weeks but, tragically, he died aged just 37.
In memory of his friend, Nick decided to do what he could to raise money for the two good causes.
At the beginning of the month, he started off by completing the Newbiggin-by-the-Sea parkrun in Northumberland before heading north.
Issues with the coastal path as he travelled towards the Scottish Border saw him have to make his way through farmers’ fields, make detours, run beside clifftops and even alongside the A1.
However, it all proved worthwhile when he reached East Lothian and Meadowmill.
He said: “It was emotional.
“Kevin Young from DadsWork did a full speech and we had a minute’s silence and the piper, who did a tune just as we were holding out own thoughts for a minute.
“It was quite emotional and obviously there were people there, family and friends, who I had not seen for a while.”
READ MORE: Sean Crawford: Tributes after sudden death of Haddington dad, aged 37
In total, about £1,300 will be split between DadsWork, which offers support groups, positive parenting classes, workshops on the role of fathers, home visits, trips and outings for fathers and their children; and Action Cerebral Palsy, which aims to improve public, professional and political awareness of the issues facing children and young people with cerebral palsy.
Kevin, project manager with DadsWork, thanked Nick for his efforts.
He said: “We are honoured to be the recipient of the money raised in memory of Sean.
“It is testament to Sean that he chose our charity out of the many charities he was connected with.
“We were very honoured Sean was able to pick us.
“That was a massive honour for us and we were delighted with that and equally to get the money from the retiral collection at his funeral.”
To make a donation, go to either gofundme.com/f/in-memory-of-sean-crawford or justgiving.com/page/nick-hannah-1727536990914
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