The 12 marathons of Christmas: Leeds teen to take on immense challenge for The Ricky Hatton Foundation
A Leeds teen will be braving the biting cold as he tries to complete 12 marathons in 12 days over the festive period.
Bailey Backhouse, 19, from Seacroft, will be undertaking the challenge in the lead up to Christmas to raise funds for Leeds children’s cancer charity the Candlelighters and The Ricky Hatton Foundation, which supports those battling mental illness.
Bailey, who is an electrician’s apprentice, has past experience with undertaking mammoth fundraising challenges, having the completed the Yorkshire Three Peaks challenge three times in three days over the August Bank Holiday this year.
That challenge was to raise money for the men’s mental health charity Andy’s Man Club and Bailey has continued that theme by raising funds this time for The Ricky Hatton Foundation, which was set up in light of the tragic passing of the boxer this year.
He said: “I think we still have a long way to go in terms of preventing suicide and helping people with their mental health.”
Bailey said that he “enjoyed” the first Three Peaks challenge, during which he was joined at various points by family and friends, and that he wanted to keep pushing himself.
He said: “I don’t really stop to be honest. I still go to boxing at Burmantofts and find myself at the gym most days.”
Bailey completed the Leeds Marathon in the summer and his since run two marathon lengths in training for his Christmas challenge, which will start on December 13 and finish on Christmas Eve.
He said: “Obviously it’s not going to be easy but that’s the whole point.”
The money raised will be split evenly with Candlelighters, a Leeds-based charity that supports children with cancer and their families.
Bailey said: “I wanted to pick a children’s charity because I think that’s what Christmas is mainly about.”
Bailey will start his first marathon at the Hatton Boxing gym in Hyde, Greater Manchester, and finish it at the Etihad Stadium. His subsequent marathons will be in the Leeds area, he said.
Bailey has already surpassed his fundraising target of £1,200. To find out more or to donate visit the GoFundMe page here.