A CARER from Frodsham has completed the challenging Snowdonia Trail Marathon in aid of two local charities.

Proceeds from Tom Makin-Bell's fundraising adventure will go to Cheshire Autism Practical Support (ChAPS) and Friends of Rosebank School from Barnton near Northwich.

Tom, 43, is an Autism Assemblies Worker at Cheshire Autism Practical Support (ChAPS) charity and aims to push his fundraising up to £1,000 if possible.

All money raised will be used to support a wide range of support activities for autistic children and families in the area.

Tom took up running at the age of 40 as a respite activity from his role of carer for his seven-year-old son, who attends Rosebank School.

He said: "This was certainly my biggest challenge to date.

"When I first started running, I never expected that I'd be competing in such demanding events as this.

"It was harder than I imagined due to the ascents, changes of terrain, rocky surfaces and the humidity which was very high.

"But my goal was to get around before the 'cut-off times' so I'm happy with that.

"I weighed over 17 stone at the age of 40, so achieving this at age 43 feels like a big achievement."

The Snowdonia Trail Marathon is a foot-race in which competitors navigate a 27.2 miles course around Snowdonia with an ascent up Snowdon between miles 19 and 22.

The event takes place primarily off-road on the tracks and trails making up the Snowdonia National Park and includes over 5500 feet of vertical ascent, making it one of the more challenging trail marathons in the race calendar.

Jo Garner, managing director at ChAPS, said: "Tom's achievement here is two-fold in that he's trained for and completed a very demanding event.

"But also, that training takes place around Tom's role as the main carer for his son, and his work both here at ChAPS and at other local charities, so this challenge has involved a huge commitment."

Lucy Lee, Head of Rosebank School, added: "The Friends of Rosebank is vital in helping to raise the money and resources which allow us to ensure that our children can participate in the extra-curricular activities which they and their families often find it so difficult to access for so many reasons.

"This is a fantastic achievement from Tom and a brilliant example for our kids."

To support Tom with his fundraising visit

https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/TomMakin-Bell

For more about Rosebank Primary School, click here

https://www.rosebank.cheshire.sch.uk/

To find out more about ChAPS, go to

https://www.cheshireautism.org.uk

For details on the Snowdoina Trail Marathon visit

https://alwaysaimhighevents.com/snowdonia-trail-marathon/welcome-snowdonia-trail-marathon-2019