A FROME man is currently pushing himself to his limits for charity, racing 171 miles on foot across the Grand Canyon in America in what organisers say is the toughest foot race in the world.
Andrew Barr-Sim is completing the colossal challenge to raise much-needed funds for the Hamlet Charity which looks after children with complex needs, including his god-daughter, Isabelle Wright, who has Angelman syndrome – a rare neuro-genetic condition that causes physical and learning disabilities.
The Grand to Grand Ultra is 171 miles in six stages, over seven days. This involves running self-supported through the Utah and Arizona desert along with others competing to complete this gruelling race. The Grand to Grand is the only stage race to start from one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, the awe-inspiring north rim of the Grand Canyon, and finish on the summit of the Grand Staircase, one of the world’s most iconic geological formations.
The challenge started on Friday 22nd September and will end on Saturday 30th September. Andrew is hoping to raise £3,000 for The Hamlet and as Frome Times went to press, he has reached £2,888.
“The Hamlet has cared for her magnificently over the years – they offer an amazing service to children and young adults living with profound disabilities and complex health needs,” Andrew explained.
“The Hamlet believes people with disabilities deserve to be valued for who they are. By providing recreational, educational, and social opportunities, disabled people can be themselves, explore choices, and reach their full potential.”
Andrew says that he is no novice when it comes to races such as this, having completed a similar multi-stage six-day event in Morocco called the Marathon Des Sables, as well as the six-day Fire and Ice Ultra in Iceland.
“This will be my toughest challenge yet,” he added. “I have been in training for a year now and recently I ran 85 miles over six days carrying an 8kg pack on the coastal paths in Cornwall, which has been some good but very hard training. I also completed the South West Coast Challenge last month which was 31 miles and more recently I completed a run over Pen y Fan in the Brecon Beacons in Wales.”
Andrew, who has lived in Frome for the past 20 years, runs local logistics service business Vallis.
If you would like to donate visit www.totalgiving.co.uk/mypage/andrewgrand2grand or search Andrew Grand to Grand on the Total Giving website.