This year I'm attempting to break the UK Backyard Ultra record and you can win some money whilst supporting me.

Why am I doing this?

I am raising money for hospice care, in memory of my sister, Anita.

On her 49th birthday, Anita got the devasting news she had brain cancer.

Anita spent her final weeks in the Prince of Wales Hospice, surrounded by love and not fear.

I was there every day and got to see up close what they do.

I was totally blown away by the amazing people at the hospice and the level of care and support they provided for Anita.

I did not realise how much they relied on local funding to survive.

I vowed to help where I could. Since then, I’ve dedicated my time raising funds by training for and taking on increasingly difficult endurance challenges.

Last year my wife, Rachael, joined me and started doing the same!

My biggest challenge so far

In June I am attempting to break the UK Backyard Ultra record.

This will be at the UK's premier event the Suffolk Backyard Ultra.

It starts Sat 7th June and will be streamed live so you can watch my progress!

What is a backyard ultra?.....

Competitors run 4.167miles (a yard or loop)

You have one hour to complete it.

You all start again on the hour.

You keep going until there’s one left.

If the one left completes one more loop they are the winner.

It was invented by Gary "Lazarus Lake" Cantrell in his backyard, hence a lap is called a yard 😉

Why 4.167 miles? Multiply by 24 hours = 100 miles.

The UK record is 89 hours/laps, that's 370.8 miles! The world record is 110.

Chance to win some money

We are trying something different this year.

There will be sweepstakes with prizes for those who choose the correct number of hours I do in Suffolk.

How to enter a sweepstake

Full details on how to get involved and enter your stake can be found here:

https://arfapanc.com/byu

It’s simple to enter, just fill in the form and I'll do the rest!

Note: this is a licenced society lottery under licence no. SL1042

Other challenges we're doing

In March my wife is taking on her first 50 mile race, the Chester 50 by GBUltras on 15th March. I will be running with her. Update 15/3: Rachael completed her 1st 50 mile race, so proud of her xx

In April I then attempt the Chester 100 mile race again.

In May I attempt the Pennine Barrier 50 mile race. This takes on the Yorkshire 3 Peaks (a route we originally walked for charity 2 years ago, and vowed never to return lol)

In August I attempt the Ring O'Fire, a 135 mile race that follows the coastal path all the way around Anglesey in Wales.

Previous challenges

Details on our previous challenges can be found on my website

https://arfapanc.com/

Thank you

Huge thanks to everyone who has donated so far, the support has been incredible, the level of kindness and encouragement is way beyond what we expected.

This is what motivates me to keep doing what I do. I would rather fail trying than not try at all. Look after your mind and body and keep smiling folks 😊

Kindest regards

Simon "arfapanc" Speight

ps. where does this "ArfaPanc" name come from? That's what my kids nicknamed me after losing over half my pancreas due to pancreatitis. So yes, my challenges are extra challenging because of this. However, I still get to do it, so I'm one of the lucky ones, and this is how I show my gratitude. Life life to the full and make the most of what you have!!

You can follow my progress on Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/simon_arfapanc_speight/

I’ve also set up a website to help inspire others plus where I record all the amazing comments from people, which in turn helps to keep me motivated

http://www.arfapanc.com