Endurance runner honoured with a community award for going the distance for charity

THE superhuman efforts of runner Paul Dewar, to fundraise for his local charities in the South Lakes area of Cumbria, have been recognised with a community Citizen of the Year Award 2016.

Over the last 16 years publicans Paul and wife Trudi have raised around £70,000 for good causes across the South Lakes area. Starting out with pub quiz fundraisers at the Kendal Arms, Paul then embarked on multiple marathons for the Ambleside based youth charity Brathay Trust.

And then in May the 51-year-old set himself his biggest challenge yet - a 21 day Herculean ‘To Hell and Back’ ultra-triathlon. With the help of Trudi, their staff at the Stan Laurel Inn Ulverston and supporters he raised £20,000 for Brathay by cycling 1,350 miles, swimming the length of Windermere and running 10 marathons in 10 days.

Completely taken aback by his award, Paul said it was definitely a group effort and that he was glad to be able to raise awareness of and funds for a local charity who did amazing work with young people.

As Paul explained: “We hear so many bad stories about the world we live in, it’s been heart-warming to find that people are incredibly generous and communities rally around in support of each other. I also got to do something I enjoy, well perhaps not at the time but certainly afterwards.”

As for his next challenge, Paul has his sights set on two triathlons, an overseas ‘Ironman’ and ‘The Lakesman Triathlon’.