A Romford-born runner has completed a grand charity fundraising challenge after running for 1000 straight days.

Gary Haines, who was former Deputy Sports Editor at the Romford Recorder from 1998-2005, and is now Sports PR Manager for Prostate Cancer UK, has clocked up thousands of miles during a challenge that started on March 19, 2020.

The 45-year-old’s 1,000th day came on December 14, where he defied the snow and ice to run a loop from the Prostate Cancer UK offices in London Bridge to Rotherhithe.

“I’m a keen runner and have always liked a challenge, as those around me will know very well!" he said.

"I was five days in when Boris broke the unfathomable news about lockdown but did say we’d be allowed around half an hour of exercise daily. That was my carrot as the Covid era kicked in, and I ran, and ran, and ran some more.

“I might have stopped when the world opened back up, but I decided to keep going and see how far I could go. Fast forward to now.”

Haines' runs have taken him around his local area in Chafford Hundred at the crack of dawn, but there have been challenges to overcome in that time. 

He has run before 5am when at external events in Newcastle, Harrogate, Birmingham, Greenwich and Liverpool as well as on the Isle of Wight, Manchester, York and Hastings and navigated two birthdays and two Christmas Days, worked his way through multiple pairs of trainers, got lost quite a few times and possibly ran nursing a broken toe. 

There has been sunshine, torrential rain, snow, sleet, wind and ice and a lockdown beard that lasted for the first five months.

“Although I wouldn’t recommend 1,000 days straight there’s a real sense of calm at that stage of the morning and it also offers some great thinking and reflecting time, something much needed in the last few years," he added.

“I lost my mate Lloyd to prostate cancer in that time, and my cousin and good pal Nick to bowel cancer earlier last year. Good men, taken far too early.”

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men, affecting one in eight men; one in four if you are black.

The disease mainly affects men over 50 and the risk increases with age. But the risk is higher for black men or men with a family history of prostate cancer, so they may wish to speak to their GP from age 45. The charity has an award-wining 30-second online risk checker which is available atprostatecanceruk.org/risk-checker 

“My dad was one of those men affected, but was successfully treated,” added Haines. “Sadly my grandad passed away from the disease around three decades ago, so I'm aware of my extended risk, particularly as a dad of two young boys.

“An early diagnosis can save your life, and there are so many wonderful people working at this charity, including our incredible specialist nurses, who do so much.

“I thought it would be great to have a bit of purpose around my challenge too. It’s such a nice quirk that the challenge started on my dad’s birthday given his role in the story. I’ve set up a Just Giving page and hope to raise a few pounds that will go into the pot to hopefully help more men and their loved ones.”

The fundraising pot sits at around £850 at present and Haines shows no sign of slowing down either.

He will take on Prostate Cancer UK’s Run the Month: Marathon Edition this month, in which people run, walk or wheel 26.2 miles during January to raise crucial funds.

It’s a challenge that has already received high-profile backing from former The Only Way is Essex star Elliott Wright, whose dad Eddie was affected by the disease, as well as legendary 80s fitness guru Mr Motivator and broadcaster Charlotte Hawkins, who lost her colleague and friend Bill Turnbull to prostate cancer, who are also taking part.

To sponsor Gary go tohttps://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/gary-haines1 and youcan sign up for run the month at runthemonthme.prostatecanceruk.org