30 Jun 2023 Community

Steve Hewitt runs 100 miles for The Kirkwood raising over £3,300

Steve Hewitt has taken on a super human challenge of running 100 miles for The Kirkwood and has raised over £3,300 in the process.

Running in the memory of his dad Barry who died in 2019 at the age of 73 whilst being cared for by our amazing nurses. Steve has taken up a number of running challenges to raise funds for us, a charity which is close to his heart. 

He first ran 50 miles back in 2019 raising over £1,300 for The Kirkwood. Steve has since turned it up a notch running an ultra 100 mile marathon back in May. What makes this story even more incredible than it already is, is that Steve devastatingly was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease before he ran the 100 mile race. 

Steve showed true grit, determination and spirit all in the face of heartbreaking news by choosing to carry on raising funds that will go on to help hundreds of families across Kirklees. Steve's bravery, character and sheer human will power is a testament to both himself and his family. 

On why he wanted to raise funds for The Kirkwood Steve said: "My dad was cared for at home by The Kirkwood nurses, he wanted his end of life to be there. I'll always remember when I went to his house how positive the nurses were, always smiling and joking with him. 

"The care they provided was fantastic and I'll never be able to thank them enough for that and that's why I have done this fundraising. It's very raw still on an emotional level and I wanted to give something back." 

In 2019 Steve began his fundraising journey after a discussion he had with friends whilst completing the Three Peaks challenge. 

He explained how he came to fundraise for The Kirkwood, he said: "My dad had cancer in 2019, The Kirkwood cared for him which was amazing. I thought now was the right time to start doing some fundraising for them. The first thing I did was run the Pennine Barrier in 2020 which is part of the Yorkshire Three Peaks and is a 50 mile race. My friends had decided to do the Three Peaks challenge walking it and so I joined them. Whilst there we saw these people running up the peak with these numbers on. 

"I told my friend James I could do that, we sat down and googled it and found out it was a 50 mile race. I wasn't going to go back on my word and so completed the race that year. I also ran a 100km race that year too which goes from Oxford to Swindon. 

"I set myself a target to raise £1000 for doing the 50 mile run. In the end I think we raised over £1,300 which was brilliant. The response for it was unbelievable and I was blown away really with people's generosity. 

"When I used to ask people for sponsorship they couldn't believe it because I was never a runner. I played football but never did running. This has given me a great get up and go with a real drive. 

"We ran 50 miles in one day. I loved it, it was very tiring but I loved it." 

Despite that being a great achievement, Steve wanted to do more and set himself another challenge, this time running 100 miles. Steve was all set to do the challenge over the weekend of the 27th/28th May. However in January of this year Steve was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. Despite that devastating news, Steve decided he wanted to complete the 100 miles race. 263 people started the race with 73 people dropping out part way through, including Steve's mate Dave. Steve finished in 77th place out of the remaining runners, completing the run in the alloted maximum time of 32 hours. 

On the 100 mile run, Steve said: "When I found out I had Parkinson's I was absolutely gutted. I had a chat with Dave about the race. Dave said let's not run it and drop out. I said to him absolutely not, the doctor had told me to keep active and so doing this challenge was just that. I never thought about not doing it. I know I'll have to get used to having Parkinson's. I have started my medication now. I didn't want to start it whilst running because of the side effects it gives me. I discussed doing the race with my wife and promised her I'd start the medication once I'd done this challenge.

"Also because we had raised so much money I didn't want to let people down so I was determined to complete it. Thankfully I did complete it and I'm so proud to have done it and to have raised the money for the charity." 

Steve is planning something even bigger in the future in terms of running but for now Steve everyone in The Kirkwood movement would like to say thank you for all your fundraising and you deserve a well earned rest.