Doncaster men spread joy to families in need this Christmas

Back in November David Duffy and Wayne Martison embarked on an epic 24 hour running challenge.

They ran 81.6 miles around Doncaster Lakeside and raised £2,300 for charity.

“It was worth every ache and pain,” David who lives in Carcroft said.

“We were sore for days after but thinking about the kids who would benefit from this money got us through.”

Originally the money was raised to give to the Doncaster Royal Infirmary (DRI) with the intention of giving gifts to sick children spending their Christmas in hospital.

But due to Covid-19 restrictions this was not possible and DRI are not currently accepting physical donations, only financial ones.

The running duo strongly felt they wanted their fundraising money to go towards Christmas toys.

David put his thinking cap on and found other ways to spread cheer with the money.

“The money has so far gone to Bluebell Wood, Doncaster Social Services and we helped a woman who had just moved to Doncaster and didn’t have toys for her kids this Christmas,” David said.

“We’ve donated toys to six families in Doncaster and we hope we put smiles on their faces.”

They also helped a woman buy medical equipment for her son William Ryder who has special needs and still have money left to donate.

David picked out the toys himself and said he caused quite a commotion when he spent such a large sum in a children's store.

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