The Sunrise to Sunset Challenge: running for the Forest

Andrew Linduschka loves to run, loves a challenge, and loves the Forest of Marston Vale. On the 18th of August 2024 Andrew decided to combine these three elements to create the impressive Sunrise to Sunset Challenge.

As the name suggests, Andrew’s goal for this challenge was to run from when the sun rose at 5.51am until it set in the evening at 8.18pm. That meant Andrew was on the move for over 14 hours and ended up covering a staggering 100km during that time!

The 18th of August was specially chosen for the challenge as it was on this day, one year ago that Andrew’s Mum suffered a fatal heart attack. Andrew's Mum loved being in the Millennium Country Park, so her love for nature and trees was a huge inspiration for him during this momentous challenge. 

Andrew on the day of his Sunrise to Sunset Challenge, with those who supported him.

Andrew had set himself the ambitious target of raising £1000 for the Forest of Marston Vale Trust - to help preserve and protect the 13 Community Woodlands around the Forest area and to help plant more trees to keep growing the Forest. Andrew smashed his fundraising target and raised £1280.46.

Robina Ballard-Davis, Brand and Fundraising Manager for the Trust said;

“It was truly inspirational to watch Andy complete this epic challenge – he ran twice the distance he’d ever ran in a day before – and he did it with a smile too!”

Andrew completed Sunrise to Sunset Challenge!

On Sunday 18th August, Andrew completed the epic Sunrise to Sunset Challenge! He ran for an impressive 14 hours, covering 100km around the Millennium Country Park and remained cheery and positive throughout the gruelling 100km challenge.

Andrew had been training for months to prepare for this epic challenge raising money to help us protect and grow the Forest. 

Could you fundraise for the Forest? It doesn't have to be an extreme physical challenge such as Andrew’s – a simple cake sale or quiz night would be great, or could your hobby be a fundraising opportunity, like organising a golf day or auctioning your artwork? We’ve got lots of fundraising ideas to inspire you and we’ll help make your fundraiser a success by setting up a fundraising page for you and promoting your activity. It would help us enormously if more people would fundraise for the Forest because trees are our best hope in combatting the climate crisis.

Email [email protected] with your fundraising idea!