A YORK man who pledged to undergo a 4,000-mile journey for charity is running, swimming and cycling through the festive period.

Phil Wiggins, of Beech Grove in Acomb, started the Wiggo 4,000 challenge to mark his 40th birthday and to raise money for The Alzheimer’s Society.

As part of the challenge, Phil will run, swim or cycle an average of 11 miles a day, five days a week, until October next year, and has already clocked up more than 800 miles and more than £1,000 in sponsorship in just over two months.

He said: “I’ve got a bit of a cold now, so I’m feeling a bit run down at the moment. Because of the time of year all the main events don’t get going until March – the longer cycle rides and triathlons.

“I’ve raised just over £1,000 now, which is a little target I had for Christmas, which is great. Most of the sponsorship has come from people I don’t know, or neighbours, or people I don’t have a lot of contact with, which is also great.”

So far as part of his challenge, Phil has run along the banks of the Liffey in Dublin and in County Clare in Ireland, along the beach in Northumberland, and through the streets of Madrid, and covered more than 800 miles – with more than 20 miles swum, more than 60 miles on foot, and the rest on his bike.

Phil said: “Because I work in sales, I see customers around the world so it’s been quite fortuitous. Next year, I’m going to Italy too, where I’ll be running beforehand or after meetings.

“I’ve never been the type to watch what I eat, certainly not at Christmas time, but it’s amazing how it affects me. I’ve been taking customers out for meals and I have really started watching my intake on alcohol and food in general I’ve become obsessed with calories, because it really hits you the next day.”

To sponsor Phil, go to justgiving.com/thewiggo4000

 

Wiggo’s diet challenge

A change in diet has helped with the challenge.

Phil said that he never really watched what he ate, but has started to recently to help complete the challenge, with the help of a colleague at Electronics Direct, in Sheriff Hutton.

He said: “Obviously, by doing all this exercise pretty much every day my body needs proper ‘fuelling’. So, other than cutting down on alcohol, here’s how it has changed.”

Prior to the challenge, Phil’s typical daily diet at work was: Breakfast: Nothing Lunch: Microwave meal.

Afternoon snack: Cake or chocolate bar Evening Meal: Chicken curry (from a jar) and rice.

Now, Phil’s diet looks much healthier, and includes a protein shake every morning and evening, immediately following any exercise: Breakfast: Scrambled eggs on a bagel Lunch: Grilled chicken breast, rice Afternoon snack: Tin of tuna Evening meal: Grilled or steamed fish with jacket potato.