Frome fundraiser Rachel Clark has raised over £36,500 for a cancer counselling charity through a mile-a-day running challenge.
Rachel ran a mile a day in 2019, 2024 and 2025 running in all weathers and encouraging residents to join her and donate to We Hear You (WHY), a cancer counselling charity in Frome.
Rachel said, “Over the years approximately 10,205 epic people joined in with the challenge; the youngest was four years old, the oldest was 77, thousands interacted online, we ran through all the seasons, from heatwaves to blizzards.
“The ripple effect of 365 was magic. Some of you were inspired to take up running and many of you took up fundraising for WHY yourselves. Fundamentally we made a difference, in so many ways. This challenge was never about distance; it was always more than just a mile.”
Over the years, the challenge has seen Rachel run in seven different countries from the Arctic Circle in Tromsø, Norway, to the heat of Taghazout in Morocco.
Final run
Rachel has now finished the ‘mile a day’ fundraising campaign, with her final run of the challenge taking place on New Year’s Eve.
She said, “I’m sure I’ll be back with a different challenge soon, just not every day. Until then, look after yourselves, keep smiling and thank you so, so much for your endless support.”
As well as fundraising for We Hear You, Rachel used last year’s challenge to raise awareness of women’s safety during darker evenings, handing out personal safety devices to all females who ran with her.
WHY fundraising appeal
WHY has recently launched a fundraising appeal to raise £55,000 by the end of March, or face risk of closure. Rachel is urging others to start fundraising for WHY and is available to share advice on how to get started. She is available to be contacted through her social media page – 365 miles for WHY.
Chief Executive Officer Lucy Kitchener from WHY, said, “We are incredibly grateful for all of the fantastic fundraising and awareness raising that Rachel has done for WHY, particularly in the face of the emergency appeal that we have recently launched. As an organisation that does not receive central government funding, it is through the amazing efforts of our fabulous supporters, like Rachel, that we are able to still be here for those that need us. Her efforts are absolutely vital to our survival, and we cannot thank her enough for everything she has done and continues to do for us.”
Rachel has been fundraising for WHY for around 13 years. Her efforts have seen ‘Team Clark’ break two community Guinness World Records, cycle non-stop from Land’s End to Frome, and pull a fire engine through the streets. Rachel also won the prestigious National Volunteer of the Year award from the Institute of Fundraising and reached the finals of ITV’s Pride of Britain awards.
