Burton porter running 5km a day in April to raise funds for National Autistic Society | Latest news

Burton porter running 5km a day in April to raise funds for National Autistic Society

Chris Waldrum, porter at Queen's Hospital Burton, with his son, Teddie

A Porter at Queen’s Hospital Burton is running five kilometres every day in April to raise money and awareness for the National Autistic Society.

Chris Waldrum, from Swadlincote, will be lacing up his running trainers and taking on the challenge during National Autism Awareness Month, and has already received “unbelievable” support for his campaign.

The National Autistic Society helps autistic people and their families in the UK by offering support, campaigning for improved rights and changing attitudes towards autism as well as running specialist schools.

31-year-old Chris said: “I wanted to raise awareness for autism as I myself knew nothing about it until my son, Teddie, was diagnosed as being autistic. I just want to help as much as I possibly can, and I cannot believe the support I’ve received so far.”

Teddie, who is now five-years-old, was diagnosed with autism when he was three, and is non-verbal and has complex needs.

Chris said: “The money I raise will go to help people and children like Teddie who need special education, but it’ll go towards so much more than that and will go so far to help so many families.”

Initially, Chris had set out to raise £250, but has had to revise his fundraising target on three occasions – and has even surpassed that.

He added: “Once I had raised more than £250, I raised my goal to £400, then £500 when I achieved that. Since then, it’s just gone up and up and I’m so thankful for everyone who has donated so far.”

Chris’ total now stands at more than £1,200 on the day of his first of 30 runs throughout April, which will see him cover 150km in total. That’s the equivalent of more than three-and-a-half marathons.

After five weeks of training, Chris said his first run went well and that he is looking forward to the rest of his challenge:

“I’ve done a few half marathons in my time so this should be fun. I just want to say a huge thank you to everyone who has donated. It means the world.”

If you would like to support Chris, you can donate on his Just Giving page.

Visit Chris’ Just Giving page (opens in new window) >

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