Four Peterlee pals ran 24 miles to raise funds for mental health

Connor Pearson, Craig Wilson, Michael Rundle and Stuey Robson chose to run one mile for every year their friend Michael Spencer has been alive. 

Their aim was to raise more funds for a GoFundMe page set up by Michael's Peterlee family after he was admitted to hospital when on holiday in Spain. They want to raise enough money to bring him back home to County Durham.

The run started and ended at Michael's family home in Peterlee, so family members could lend their support. 

Michael suffered multiple organ failure and was under medical ventilation, but he is showing signs of improvement every day. 

On the day of the run (Sunday, November 10, Michael actually came out of his coma, sent the boys a voice note of encouragement and even video-called them after their run. 

The lads outside of Michael's family home in Peterlee before they set off for the run (Image: contributor) Michael Rundle, one of the runners, said that Michael was so appreciative and overwhelmed and, although he was still dazed and poorly, it meant the world to have him speak to them. 

He said: "We as a group always run 32 miles every year on the birthday of a relative I previously lost to mental health and therefore when we heard of what happened to Michael and what his family were going through we knew what we had to do.

"The run was hard of course but we just kept reminding ourselves that the difficulties we were facing during that run would be nothing compared to what his family are feeling.

"We just wanted to do as much as we can to help the family as we are all close around here so we were just determined to do it. 

"If just one man can come forward from this and see how the people come together to support everyone and reaches out, then that would mean the world to us."

The runners had no time to train for this venture, they just picked up their running shoes and got on with it in an attempt to help the family and do anything they can to bring Michael home. 

Support from Peterlee after the lads returned from their 24 mile run (Image: contributor) Michael's family are desperate to bring him home, but because the travel insurance they have does not cover medical transfers they need to pay for his return journey themselves. 

This may have to be a medical-assisted journey, due to his condition.

Read More:

• Family from Peterlee are desperate to bring ill son home

•  

  Remembrance Sunday 2024: 35 pictures of events across the region

• 'We will remember them': North East pays its respects on Remembrance Sunday

Get more local stories, reviews and exclusive content from The Northern Echo and join our growing digital family with a subscription.

Micahel's father, Martin Spencer, previously told The Northern Echo: “It has been incredible to see when you think no one is there yet you see the outpouring of love from strangers for Michael.

“He is worth everything I can give him and more and we are all just desperate to have him back where we can all be by his side.

“It is honestly our worst nightmare, but we cannot appreciate enough the support.”

When speaking on the lads running for Michael he said he was "so appreciative of them" and "eternally grateful that they have all come together to do such a thing for Michael" 

The lads returning back to Michaels house where they started the run that morning (Image: contributor)

Michael's sister, Sam Spencer, who set up the GoFundMe said: "As his sister I just wanted to say that the support and love from everyone to help get our Michael home means so much to all of us and is truly amazing to see.

"Running 24 miles for Michael's age of 24 is such a heartwarming and thoughtful way of showing how loved, cared for and valued he is.

"We wish that we could all be there with him and honestly just can't wait for him to be home. Hopefully before Christmas arrives."