Harrogate adventurer Richard Lethbridge has successfully completed 30 gruelling physical challenges in his thirtieth year to help raise £30,000 for charity. Richard, who started his epic adventure last September on his thirtieth birthday, and has just turned 31, is raising money for Teenage Cancer Trust after seeing the incredible work his sister does at one of the charity’s hospital units.
His mission took him all over the world and included breaking a Guinness World Record for the longest distance on a space hopper, climbing the length of The Shard – the tallest building in the UK, cycling from London to Paris in just 24 hours and driving from Brighton to the Sahara desert in a car covered in LEGO.
Richard, who completed every challenge whilst working full time as an engineer and studying for a part time degree said: Every challenge has been so different which really tested my mental and physical limits. Zip wiring from the Tyne Bridge was one of the most memorable challenges because Teenage Cancer Trust staff and patients also took part. It hit home to me why I embarked on this venture. It was great to bring all patients, families and staff together.
Richard describes his final challenge of running the length of Hadrian’s Wall followed by a half marathon as the hardest. He had a stress fracture in his left foot and wasn’t sure how his body was going to respond. It was also a task just to find 30 unique challenges to do, but he received inspiration from his mates and on the Teenage Cancer Trust website.
Richard continued: I have been overwhelmed by the support from the public across the UK. The majority of donations were from people watching me doing the challenges and I had a very generous donation of £5,000! I can’t thank them all enough.
Despite enduring a year of hardcore physical exercise, Richard didn’t change his diet to match his new lifestyle and instead found his favorite pre-event meal to be a pint of Guinness and chicken fried rice.
Richard: There were times when I asked myself why on earth I said I would do it all.
My life has been put on hold and I spent my thirtieth birthday being run ragged around a 10 mile Parachute Regiment course.
But the whole year has been so memorable and I know I am helping a great charity.
When asked if he was planning to do more, Richard answered: At the moment I feel like I have pretty much done the lot out there, but never say never!
Zoe Hull, Teenage Cancer Trust Regional Fundraiser for the North West said: Richard’s efforts and determination are remarkable. His fundraising will support our North West appeal, funding units in Manchester and Liverpool.
Richard still needs to hit the £30,000 target. To make a donation and to see more pictures visit www.facebook.com/30goingon30 and to find out more about the work of the Teenage Cancer Trust visit www.teenagecancertrust.org.
