Man ran all nine Leeds parkrun courses in one day for charity Simon on the Streets

Runner Matt Ellis completed all nine Leeds 5k parkrun courses in one day to raise cash for city-based charity Simon on the Streets.

Matt's fundraising effort is just one of a number of ideas residents and businesses have come up with during the coronavirus crisis to help the charity, which supports homeless and vulnerable people across West Yorkshire.

Abbey Runners member Matt, 45, said the group's annual Eccup 10 mile race planned for June was cancelled due to Covid-19.

Simon on the Streets was this year's nominated charity for the race and Matt didn't want them to lose out.

So he came up with a plan to do all nine Leeds parkrun courses in one day.

Matt raised £1,200 for the charity after successfully completing the challenge in around eight hours on August 23.

Matt started at Roundhay Park at 8am and then did Potternewton, Temple Newsam, Rothwell, Middleton Park, Cross Flatts Bramley, Armley before finishing at Woodhouse Moor at 4pm.

Abbey Runners Duncan Clark and Tom Rogerson ran with him and club captain Ross Armstrong drove them to each run.

Matt said: " did feel a sense of accomplishment and I was blown away by the amount of money we raised for the charity."

All official parkruns were cancelled early in lockdown and are not due to start up again until late October at the earliest.

Around 55 members of the Leeds Medics and Dentists Rugby Union Football Club ran a total of more than 3,000 miles - the equivalent distance of New York to San Francisco - over two weeks and raised more than £3,500 for Simon on the Streets.

Leeds University postgraduate medicine student Oliver Scarborough, 30, said: "We wanted to help the charity because they have lost a lot of income during the pandemic and it was a good way for us to keep fit."

The Cross Keys pub on Water Lane, Holbeck, is donating cash from each meal and sandwich sold in September to charities Simon on the Streets and Positive Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers.

The pub is sharing a donation of 50p for each sandwich sold and £1 for every main meal sold to with the charities.

Natalie Moran, Chief executive officer of Simon on the Streets said: “We’re a small independent charity which relies solely on donations from the public and local businesses so we’re incredibly grateful to everyone that fundraises for us.

"The coronavirus pandemic has seen people and businesses come up with a variety of fun and unusual ways to raise vital funds for us, to continue our much needed work in supporting those most vulnerable on the streets and in temporary accommodation, which has been fantastic to see."

To donate, go to www.simononthestreets.co.uk/