Norwich worker to travel 300 miles for charity
A man who lost both his parents when he was a teenager is undertaking a mammoth charity challenge to help children in a similar position today.
Ryan Doubleday, 26, was 14 years old when his mum died and 16 when his dad died, and he is determined to help people today going through the same situation.
Mr Doubleday works as a one-to-one bereavement councillor out of Nelson's Journey's Norwich headquarters, but decided he wanted to do even more to help the charity that supports bereaved children across the county.
The result is a challenge that is going to see him travel a mile a day in 300 different ways across Norwich, Norfolk and even Mexico.
Mr Doubleday said: 'I knew I wanted to do something to raise money and was wracking my brains for something no-one had done.'
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He also wanted to tie the charity effort into the London 2012 Olympics and realised that from October 1 there were 300 days until the games started.
He said: 'I don't know how I came up with the mile every day and being challenged to do it, but I spoke to a few people and they thought it was great.'
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The idea generation has started with potential miles including travelling on stilts, in custard wellies, on a space hopper and dressed as the charity's mascot Nelson.
Now he is appealing for people to challenge him to do a mile – as long as people donate at the same time.
He is also keen to find businesses across Norwich that would like him to do a mile in some way in their office, with charity supporter Big Yellow Self Storage among those expected to feature.
He said: 'I said as long as it is physically achievable I will. Someone wanted me to walk on my hands but I can't do that.'
Throughout the challenge he will be documenting his journey online, with a photo taken on each day. The 300 days will take in the charity's therapeutic weekend camp in Sheringham, Christmas Day and also see him try to find 14 ways to travel a mile while he is on holiday in Mexico.
Mr Doubleday, who lives in Diss, added: 'It is a really great cause because the charity helps kids having a hard time coping with losing a parent.
'It is one of the things people don't speak about, especially with children.'
To donate or challenge him visit www.virginmoneygiving.com/ ryandoubleday
Are you raising money for charity? Contact Local Life editor Richard Wood on 01603 772423 or email richard.wood@archant.co.uk
