Charity boss faces double 10ks

Mark Dobson aged 57, from Garforth had already pledged to raise money for Wetherby in Support of the Elderly by signing up to the Wetherby 10K in September.

But now Mark will take on the Leeds 10K as well- a race which he’d entered last year but which then got postponed by the pandemic.

The two races are separated by just a few hours, but Mark hopes his madcap challenge will inspire more runners to raise money for the charity to help plug a fundraising shortfall.

Mark, Chief Operating Officer at WiSE, said: “I could hardly believe it when I got the news that the Leeds 10K had been moved to the same date as the 10K I’d already signed up to in Wetherby.

“I’m never one to turn down a challenge though - even though there’s less than five hours between the start times of each event.

“The fact that I’ll be running both races for the charity that I lead and the charity that I love will make all the difference.

“It will keep me going on what promises to be an exhausting day.

“Over the last year, WiSE has delivered unprecedented levels of support to older people across Wetherby and surrounding villages.

“At the same time though, many of our supporters have had to cancel their usual fundraising activities, meaning that we face a funding shortfall.

“Our council funding allows us to deliver a basic level of provision to isolated, older people in desperate need of our help.

“But every single penny we raise beyond this means we can enhance our offering and do even more for older people in our community.”

The Asda Foundation Leeds 10K takes place on the morning of Sunday September 5. The 16th Wetherby 10K takes place the afternoon on the same day.

Wetherby in Support of the Elderly (WiSE) is a registered charity organisation part funded by Leeds City Council.

Its aim is to improve quality of life for the over 60s by providing community based activities, information, help and support.

To donate, visit https://w-ise.org.uk/donate/