A Southwark man is running 33 marathons – one for each year of his life – to raise money for diabetes and vitiligo charities.
Architect Harry Leung was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes aged just 3 and skin condition vitiligo at 30. He decided to fundraise for Diabetes UK, a charity that provides support for people with the condition, which, although common, can be debilitating – as well as the Vitiligo Society.
After getting into running in the Covid-19 lockdowns, Harry thought that running marathons would be a good way of raising money for the charity.
He began his epic challenge on January 1 and at the time of writing has already completed two – one along the Thames and one in Milton Keynes, where he spent much of his childhood.
Running 33 marathons – at 26.2 miles each – works out at nearly 865 miles, the equivalent of running from the Blue market in Bermondsey to the Sagrada Familia church in Barcelona.
Harry said: “I wanted to mark the 30th anniversary of my diagnosis and also to raise funds for Diabetes UK which offers great help and advice. I don’t have many memories of being diagnosed with diabetes as I was so young, but I do have a lot of memories from my childhood, learning carb counting and learning how to inject myself at a young age.
“I feel very motivated. Some friends have said they will join me for part of a run but no-one has volunteered for a full marathon so far!”
Roz Rosenblatt, London head of Diabetes UK, said: “Harry is going to great lengths to help us! We wish him the best of luck this year and we are very grateful for all his efforts on our behalf.”
To donate to the fundraiser click here.