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Two local faces are taking on very different runs at opposite ends of the country at the end of April. William Brown, Team Leader at Booths café in Keswick, and Flora Macdonald, personal trainer and Pilates instructor, are both raising funds for Flynne’s Barn.
On Saturday 25th April, William will be aiming to complete the Bob Graham Round. As you may know, the Bob Graham Round is one of the UK’s most demanding endurance challenges, comprising a 66-mile circuit with 27,000 feet of ascent across 42 of the Lake District’s highest peaks, all within 24 hours. William will begin his attempt at midnight on Saturday 25th April, setting off from Keswick’s Moot Hall. His aim is to return to the same spot by 23:23 that evening.
Adding an extra layer of significance to the challenge, Flynne’s Barn’s Patron, legendary fell runner Billy Bland, famously held the Bob Graham Round record from 1982 until 2018. His remarkable time of 13 hours and 53 minutes remains one of the sport’s most celebrated achievements. The connection between William’s attempt and Bland’s legacy makes this moment particularly meaningful for the charity and for the Lake District’s fellrunning community.
William says, “I’ve had the round in my sights, more or less, since I started running, ten years ago. I’ve always been in awe of people who have run it, but I haven’t felt strong enough to attempt it myself. I heard about Flynne’s Barn through Booths in Keswick, where I work, and something just clicked. At first, it felt as though raising money for the charity would just be a happy byproduct of my attempt – a way to make all those miles and metres of ascent count for more than just my Strava! But after visiting Flynne’s Barn, and meeting the people who run it, it has become more than that; it’s the heart of my attempt, now. It has pushed me through training when I might have given up, and it will keep me going on the day itself, even when I feel as though I can’t go on. I’m feeling nervous! And definitely as though I’ve bitten off more than I can chew. But I will give it my absolute all.”
A day later, on Sunday 26th April, Flora will run the iconic 26.2 miles of the London Marathon. It will be the first time that anyone has run the London Marathon for Flynne’s Barn, and we are so excited that Flora has chosen to run for us.
Flora says, “I was lucky enough to get a place through the ballot, and I really wanted to use that opportunity for something bigger than myself. With the visibility the marathon brings, it felt like the perfect chance to support a cause that truly matters.”
“Flynne’s Barn may be small, but it makes such a huge difference to the lives of young people with cancer. It can be such a lonely and overwhelming time, especially when you’re already trying to figure out who you are in your teens and early twenties.
“Living in the Lakes makes me feel so calm and grounded, the sheer scale and beauty of the surroundings just puts everything into perspective. I can only imagine how powerful that kind of environment must be for young people who need the support that Flynne’s Barn provides.”
You are both awesome – thank you! We can’t wait to cheer you on.