A professional golfer has completed 31 marathons in 31 days to raise money for a local children's charity.

James Wright, head professional at Penn Golf Club in Wolverhampton, completed 26.2 miles every day in August to raise money for a fundraising appeal launched by Acorns Children’s Hospice. 

The fundraiser clocked up an impressive 812.2 miles over the course of his marathon challenge, running some days after finishing work in the evenings, and has raised over £7,000 for Acorns. James, 39, who lives in Wolverhampton with his wife Gemma, said:

“This is a charity close to our hearts and I knew I had to play my part to help raise some money towards Acorns fundraising appeal. When I heard the charity needed help it spurred me on to do something about it – and this challenge is what I came up with!”

The dedicated runner is supporting the Save Acorns Black Country Hospice Appeal which aims to raise £2 million to save Acorns hospice in Walsall, which the charity had initially proposed for closure due to lack of funds. James added:

“It’s been an epic month but now it’s now time to put my feet up and give the legs some rest. Hopefully my runs will inspire other people to take up their own fundraising challenge in aid of this fantastic charity.

"It doesn’t have to be as crazy as 31 marathons in 31 days – every little helps whether large or small.” 

The Save Acorns Black Country Children’s Hospice Appeal was launched by Acorns in July, following the lifeline provided by new funding commitments from the NHS locally and nationally. 

The appeal needs to raise £2 million to safeguard the long-term future of the Walsall hospice and to fund the care provided there to children and families until the full amount of new Government funding is reached.

For more information and to donate towards the Appeal, please visit acorns.org.uk/appeal.