HE DID IT!
To celebrate 15 years of programme delivery, Humber-wide charity CatZero’s co-founder and Director of Sailing, Danny Watson, ran 150km in a day – the equivalent of 93-miles, or three and half marathons – finishing in just under 24 hours!
Starting at Grimsby Dock at 4am on Thursday, May 2, 2024, Danny ran half the distance on the North Wall between Grimsby and Cleethorpes before taking a pilot boat across the Humber and completing the run around Hull Marina at approximately 3.30am, on May 3.
For 15 years, CatZero has delivered lasting personal change to people across the Humber region, applying its innovative and life-changing programmes to support a broad spectrum of people across the community, including children, younger people, unemployed adults, Forces’ veterans, and full families. Through the ‘150km in a Day’ event, Danny hoped to raise at least £24,000 (worth £60,000 when match-funded), which will enable CatZero to use its ‘Full Families’ programme to work with an additional 12 families, or approximately 60 children, young people, or adults. Danny’s total at the time of this release was a staggering £40k!
Danny explained: “The need for CatZero is clear when you appreciate that in Hull and Grimsby alone there are 35,100 children living in poverty, 27,400 workless households, and 1,501 looked after children, at a total cost of £100 million.
“As a co-founder of CatZero, I am hugely proud of what the organisation has achieved over the last 15 years, working with more than 2,000 people, helping many into stable and manageable situations, employment, training, volunteering, and education.
“I am passionate about the work we do at CatZero and once again, I am willing to put myself on the line to raise further funds to help families improve their lives.”
Danny completed a 30 in 30 Challenge in 2021, which involved Danny running 30 marathons in 30 days, a challenge that raised almost £100,000 for CatZero.
Young Full Families participant Harrison said of the challenge: “I think Danny is bonkers! I think it is good that he is raising money for Full Families so that CatZero can help other people.”
Harrison was supported by the charity when he faced challenges at school that had a knock-on effect with his family. The CatZero team supported the wider family through school visits, regular meetings, and were able to offer Harrison places on confidence-building activities, such as rock climbing and llama walking. He also took part in a sail on the charity’s 72-foot Challenge yacht, which he says helped him immensely with facing his fears and taking on new personal challenges.
Key sponsors for the 150km challenge on May 2 were ABP, Sewell On The Go, Arco, Sewell Group, Begbies Traynor Group, Adams & Green, Beal Homes, New England Seafood, Wykeland, Northern Divers, Hull HBOT, Clipper, The Horncastle Family Foundation, Kildale Marine, Harris, Lacey, & Swain, Workwear Direct, and Made Great in Grimsby. Many runners from these organisations joined Danny on the day, helping to create a wonderful, positive atmosphere throughout the event.
Well done, Danny!
For more information on the event, visit www.catzero.org/150kmchallenge
Both short and long videos of the ‘CZ150’ are available on our YouTube channel: @catzerohumberofficial1871
