Grantham’s ‘Fab 40’ race over £4,000 fund-raising target

A year-long group fund-raising challenge organised by a woman wanting to celebrate her 40th birthday, has smashed its £4,000 target.

To celebrate turning 40 this year, Ruth Dunstan of Belton Lane, Grantham, decided to join forces with 40 others in a bid to take part in as many fund-raising events as possible throughout the year.

The aim was to raise £1,000 for four chosen causes - Mind, Combat Stress, Barnardo’s and Grantham Home-Start. However Ruth and her fabulous friends have gone over and above this, raising a grand total of £5,340, or £1,335 for each of the charities.

The fund-raising events have been predominately running related, including marathons and triathlons completed across the UK. They started the campaign with the St Valentine’s 30k race in Stamford, and ended it with the Worksop half marathon.

Ruth would like to thank fellow Grantham Running Club members, as well as Belvoir Tri Club, Grantham Tennis Centre, and the Rutland Hash House Harriers for their involvment.

As well as getting on their running shoes, the group have also organised everything from car boot sales to 40 inspired challenges, such as creating 40 healthy recipes in 40 weeks.

Looking back over the year, Ruth said: “I am so proud of what we have achieved. People have worked really hard and given their time and energy to support me. In what has been quite a difficult year for me personally, the support of family and friends has given me more than they realise, and I value them all so much.

“The money is all collected and paid in and I’ll be distributing it to the charities before Christmas. Thank you to all the Fab40 members.”

For more information on the fund-raising challenge, and a full list of all those individuals and groups who formed the 40 friends that took part, go to www.ruthsfab40.co.uk