A Tribute to Family and a Promise to a Friend

The Liverpool to Leeds Canal Run, set for August 23rd, holds special significance for Dean. Five years ago, he lost his dad, Stuart, to oesophageal cancer. Stuart was a devoted Liverpool fan, and the first game he ever took Dean to was at Elland Road. The idea of running between these two iconic cities, connecting a father’s passion with a son’s tribute, felt like the perfect way to honour his memory.

But Dean’s motivation extends beyond personal remembrance. He’s also running for Charlie, a young player on the Appleby Froddingham Colts Under 13’s football team that Dean manages. Last year, Charlie’s mum, Debbie Gaffney, sadly passed away at Lindsey Lodge Hospice. Dean heard first-hand about the compassionate care Debbie received, and witnessing Charlie’s heartbreak made the decision to support Lindsey Lodge an easy one. Dean is also good friends with Charlie’s dad, Ben, who has shared how invaluable Lindsey Lodge’s counselling support has been for him.

The Ultimate Challenge

Dean is no stranger to endurance running, having previously completed a 63-mile race. However, the Liverpool to Leeds Canal Run is a significant leap. He’s well into his training, with a 24-hour practice run as his next major milestone. He’s also meticulously trialing different foods to discover what best sustains his energy levels for such a demanding challenge. During the run, he won’t be stopping for long to eat, as this could trigger his body into recovery mode. Instead, a dedicated team of friends will meet him at various points along the route, providing essential energy-boosting food and drinks.

Dean’s determination is unwavering.

“My thoughts will no doubt turn to Charlie and my dad during this race,” he shared. “I know I will complete it, because the why is far bigger than the challenge.”

Follow Dean’s Journey and Show Your Support

Dean is documenting his preparations for the race through vlogs, which you can follow on his Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/dean.hand.969

So far, Dean has raised an impressive £2,500 on his JustGiving page, but he’s aiming to collect even more for Lindsey Lodge Hospice. If you’d like to support Dean in his incredible challenge and help Lindsey Lodge continue its vital work, you can donate here: https://www.justgiving.com/page/dean-hand-6

We’ll be cheering Dean on every step of the way!