Aster employees raise £4,000 for Dementia UK

Dave Pidgen and Carl Millward ran 48 miles over the last 48 hours, in a challenge dreamt up by a former Navy Seal that sees competitors run four miles every four hours - even throughout the night.

It was all in aid of Dementia UK, with the pair crossing the finishing line in front of friends and family at Charlton Playing Fields in the beautiful sunshine earlier this evening.

The pair were delighted when they completed the epic challenge, saying they were thrilled to have raised so much money.

Dave, a data manager, said: "I am shattered. It's brillaint not to be running or looking at my alarm clock anymore.

"I am pleased to raise so much money."

Meanwhile Carl, an assistant electrical manager, added: "I am really chuffed with doing it. I am really amazed with the amount of money we have raised."

The pair spoke about how tough the midnight runs were. Having started out by running separately and meeting in the middle, they decided to run together on Sunday morning for moral support.

They decided to take part in the challenge after Dave met a lady with dementia in Andover.

He said: “I was asked for directions by a lady who was lost in Harewood Forest, I pointed her in the right direction, and I went on my way.

“A little way up the track I didn’t really feel comfortable letting her go on her own, so I went back to check on her. She explained she had dementia and had been wondering around lost for three hours.

“I walked with her for three miles to make sure she got home safely, chatting along the way and it was really terrible seeing someone who was physically fit struggling to remember things.

“Now that I’ve seen the effects dementia can have on a person, I wanted to raise money for Dementia UK and support the great work they’re doing.

"I am expecting this challenge to be up there with the toughest things I’ve ever done, especially factoring in the 48 miles of running mixed with sleep deprivation.”

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