The new year marked the end of a massive running challenge for a Penmaenmawr man.

Edward Wright embarked on a running programme in 2017 which saw him run a mile a day, all in the name of a charity close to his heart.

Having been born with a cleft lip and palate, Mr Wright wanted to give something back to the association that does so much work helping people with the condition.

He said: “I decided to run a mile every day for several reasons. I think one of the key ones was that I was curious to see if I could do it.

“I also wanted to raise money and awareness for the Cleft Lip And Palate Association (CLAPA) who do loads of amazing work supporting people affected by the condition - as someone born with a cleft lip and palate it is a cause quite close to my heart.

“The other reason for taking it up, which feels quite timely, was to try to burn off some turkey and mince pies.”

Having set out to raise a simple £100 he has now raised £1,953 for CLAPA to date, with the hope of hitting £2,000 by the time donations close at the end of the month.

Mr Wright, who works at Bangor University, said: “I’m grateful to everyone who has contributed, be that financially or by offering encouragement, support or indeed tea and biscuits. I’m totally in awe about the amount has been raised but a little part of me really wants to see it actually hit £2K.”

The challenge took him through snow in the Ogwen Valley, knee deep in the waters on Penmaenmawr beach and under the Christmas lights in Liverpool.

Mr Wright didn’t miss a day, pushing on through man flu and a number of twisted ankles.

He said: “There were times when it was difficult but not enough to stop. It has been hard physically at times, there have been a couple of twisted ankles along the way and the odd day when suffering from man flu but nothing bad enough to be prohibitive.”

“The hardest thing was fitting in that window for running everyday around holidays, birthdays, funerals and so on.

“The exertion is hard but keeping in in line with family, work and social life has been the bigger struggle.”

Having already run a two halves and a full marathon in 2015, Mr Wright said running had well and truly become a big part of his life.

He added: “I think running certainly has become more of a part of my life now. I have to be honest I proudly stayed indoors all day on January 1, 2018 having completed every day of 2017, apart from once nipping outside to do the recycling.

“That night I had real difficulty going to sleep and by the afternoon of the second of January I had pulled on my shoes again and gone out for a run.”

The running bug has rubbed off on another of his family members, with his cousin Mike and his fiancé Sophie taking on one mile for 365 days, round two. They will be raising money for Mind, a mental health charity.

You can read about Mr Wright’s challenge in his blog at https://1mile365days.wordpress.com/.