University of Leeds student who lost friend to suicide after lockdown completes ‘Great Rugby Run’ challenge for mental health charity

Charlie Clark is a keen rugby player who sadly lost one of his team mates from home club Battersea Ironsides to suicide earlier this year.

So, to raise awareness and money for mental health charity LooseHeadz, Charlie has run the 206 mile distance from his home rugby club in London to The Leodiensian’s Club in North Leeds.

Although Charlie originally planned for his challenge to be a month-long, a Covid positive test in his house meant he cut the time limit to just three weeks for completing his Great Rugby Run.

Charlie said: “My friend unfortunately took his own life in May/ June time after months of lockdown and it’s made me realise that whilst lockdowns are for the greater good, they take a considerable toll on society and people’s mental health can be severely affected.

“In my first run after the isolation period, I ran 32 miles in 24 hours which I thought was quite impressive and then I ended up totalling 56 miles in just half of that week.

“Then it became apparent that I could finish the challenge in just three weeks which was quicker and faster than I ever imagined.

“I’ve been doing around 10 or more miles a day.”

Charlie is a final year student at the University of Leeds studying International History and Politics.

He is a loyal member of the Leeds rugby club Old Leodiensians (Leos) and has enjoyed many appearances for their first and second teams.

The 22-year-old added: “Last Friday I went for a 10 mile run and it was by far the hardest one I’ve done, even harder than the 32 mile run.

“It was pouring down, it was freezing and dark and it was awful.

“I wanted to stop but everyone has been so brilliant and nice about what I’m doing that those kind words kept me going.

“It really made me realise that you can never underestimate the power of kind messages and kind words.

“A simple ‘hey, how are you?’ message might be the difference between someone getting out of bed that day or staying inside.”

Charlie has exceeded his £1,000 target and raised nearly £2,000 for the charity which focuses on tackling the stigma of mental health in rugby.

This challenge is the second of Charlie’s this year, having already raised £1,500 for charity after completing a self-planned marathon during lockdown.

Sponsoring donations can be made here.