A DEDICATED fundraiser and his friend dressed up as superheroes to mark the end of a charity challenge which has raised nearly £3,000.

Gareth Catherall, who lost his mother and father to cancer, pledged to run three miles a day for a year to raise vital funds Cancer Research UK.

Despite the ongoing pandemic, the Conwy council worker, who lives in Glan Conwy and has partner Gail Roberts, completed the personal fundraiser.

The last two runs saw him take in Conwy with friend and colleague Josef Bunton; the pair dressed as Batman and Robin.

The final run was carried out from his mum’s old house on what would have been her 81st birthday. It was the same route Gareth carried out on the first day of his fundraiser on December 4 2019.

Gareth said: “I have ran a minimum of three miles for 367 consecutive day, covering 1,331 miles and I have now raised £2,900 for Cancer Research UK in memory of my mum, dad, Geoff Isaacs and Janette McCarthy.”

Gareth’s mum Violet Drene Catherall [best known to family and friends as Drene] lost her battle against cancer in July 2013.

His father, William Eric Catherall [better known as Eric], died from cancer in 2014.

Gareth was also remembering, during his challenge, Geoff Isaacs, the father of his best friend, and Janette McCarthy, a former work colleague. Both died following long battles with cancer.

“There has certainly been some tough days, but trying to remember the reason why I’m doing this challenge has pushed me on and out the door in all sorts of weather," Gareth added.

"On the final day we ran around Conwy dressed as Batman and Robin. The positive feedback we got on that morning was great, it really did make a positive impact and hopefully along with this story it will raise awareness of my challenge. The run for my mum's house... that was a very different run, emotion wise.

"Some of the main highlights were running in fancy dress.

North Wales Pioneer:

Gareth Catherall

"I also ran in football tops on particular days near the end of my challenge, to remember the people I was running for. It also helped me to break the challenge down into smaller chunks. I did this at the start and it really helped.

"I ran in an Aston Villa top for my dad, an Everton top for Geoff, a Scotland top for Jan, a Nottingham Forest top for Gareth Owen and a Rhyl top for my mum."

Gareth reached mile 1,024, his dad's police number, on his dad's 80th birthday.

"I would like to thank everyone who took the time to run with me. It made such a difference, although I did run most of them by myself," Gareth said.

"I am totally blown away by the amount raised.

"People have been very kind even more so in the current climate.

"I know that I thank people that have sponsored me a lot, but I must also thank Mike and Family and Jenny, Carys and family for letting me run in Geoff and Jan respective memory."

Gareth wanted to mention Gareth Owen, a work colleague and friend, who died after a brave battle with cancer in August.

He said: “He will be missed by many.”

You can still donate at Justgiving.com/

fundraising/garethruns1300