“It’s really not sunk in yet” – Salford friends raise more than £13,000 in memory of close friend

A group of Salford friends have completed three physical endurance challenges to raise more than £13,600 for charity.

The group of 19, all former pupils at Irlam and Cadishead Academy, completed the challenges over the weekend to raise funds for two charities with a personal link to the group.

Nine members of the team cycled 150 miles, while a further nine ran 50km (31 miles). Personal trainer and gym owner Chris Hilton took on his own challenge by flipping a 100kg tractor tyre for 24 hours.

Supporters took up the invitation to cheer them on at Irlam FC on Saturday.

One of the charities benefitting was Salford charity the Jamie Horrocks Trust, in memory of Jamie Horrocks who sadly took his own life in 2013, and was a close friend of the group.

The trust was set up soon after his death, serving and having a big impact on Salford, by setting up community-based projects that aim to reduce the risks and support those affected by suicide.

The other charity was the Motor Neurone Disease Association, in support of friend Steve Corfield who is currently battling the disease.

Hilton, who completed his 24-hour tyre flip, was delighted with the total raised.

He said: “It’s really not sunk in yet. We were talking last night with the lads and we never ever expected to receive what we have.

“The amount of support we received, both online and on Saturday was just unbelievable, it was really overwhelming.

“We set up at first at £2,000 and then we went passed that and upped it to £6,000, then we just left it and watched it skyrocket and incredibly after a count last night we’re at £13,600.”

The challenges completed aimed to be both physically and mentally challenge as Hilton explains.

He said: “The challenges were really tough, I think they were mentally challenging as well as physically which is what we wanted to portray on the day.

“That was a big factor in what we decided to do, we wanted more than a physical challenge. We wanted to set the bar high.”

On his own challenge, Hilton commented: “I think I got caught up in the occasion at the beginning. I probably set off too quick and was tired through the night, it was tough but I always knew I was going to make it.”

These challenges follow on from the group completing the Chester Marathon and a 24-hour climbing wall climb.

Hilton says the group plans further fundraising challenges which will be even tougher both physically and mentally.

He said: “We’re going to rest and recover from this first, then we’re gonna have a sit down and set the bar even higher, although we haven’t decided what to do yet.”

Anyone who would like to donate to the fundraising effort can do via a link here.