The Southern Combination League season may have been declared null and void, but players in Sussex are keeping themselves busy by taking part in the Run 5k for the NHS Challenge.
Dreamt up by Kevin Keehan and former Hassocks midfielder Scott Kirkwood, non league and grassroots players from across the county have been challenged to go out on a 5k run, take a photo of themselves doing so and then make a donation to the Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS charitable funds.
Keehan and Kirkwood set themselves a target of raising £3,000 but in less than a week, the Run 5k for the NHS Challenge has far exceeded that total. As of Friday, it was closing in on the £8,000 mark.
Plenty of current and former Hassocks players have taken part. It will come as a surprise to nobody that our marathon man James Westlake was one of the first to get involved, running nearly 13km in 50:54.
This one was always going to be quick & a bit further! @hassocksfc running machine @08Westlake. “Westy” has been a mainstay at Hassocks for many years & is no doubt the fittest player in history of @TheSCFL. His PB in the London Marathon is 2hrs23 mins 👏! Thanks Westy #Run5k4NHS pic.twitter.com/pw8Z99qBEN
— Run5K4NHS (@Run5k4NHS) March 31, 2020
Lewis Westlake also covered 8 miles in 59:29. Liam Benson (19:54), Louis Pople (24:20), physio Phil Wickwar (41:27 for 5.67km) and vice chairman Owen John (24:30) have completed a 5k.
One man who hasn’t run 5k is chairman Dave John. He offered assurances though that he covers 5k every three days on his lockdown walk, although we have no way of proving that. Dave donated to the cause anyway.
He can’t run 5k but still wants to support @kevinkeehan @sskirky and @Run5k4NHS so donation made. Dave has assured us he covers 5k every 3 days on his daily “lockdown” walk but he’s a technophobe so has no way of proving it either way! He wants more to support this great cause! pic.twitter.com/CkJcvW0X6j
— Hassocks FC (@hassocksfc) April 2, 2020
Former Hassocks players to have taken part include Spencer Slaughter (21:52), Joel Harding (24:29), Jamie Weston (25:35), Luke Akehurst (20:46), Ian Simpson (22:15) and Charlie Pitcher (31:26).
If you’d like to get involved, then simply run 5k and send a photo of you doing so alongside your GPS tracker time to Run5k4HNS on Twitter.
Should running 5k be something you don’t fancy doing – or if you are walking 5k every three days like Johnsy – then you can simply donate via the Run 5k for NHS Just Giving Page.
Here’s my run for @Run5k4NHS. Such a great cause, make sure you have donated. @hassocksfc get running lads! pic.twitter.com/oPc89OZRYX
— Lewis Westlake (@lewiswestlake22) April 1, 2020
Not the quickest one I’ve ever done but all for @Run5k4NHS on behalf of @hassocksfc 👍🏻👍🏻 pic.twitter.com/LPtRUIhQqy
— Liam Benson (@_LiamBenson) April 2, 2020
Here’s my 5k for @Run5k4NHS and donation to follow. Not a lot of fun after a spell of non-running but couldn’t let the other @hassocksfc lads down! Am I the first vice-chairman, bar man, and club linesman to register a run?! pic.twitter.com/dUGHfsdrzZ
— Owen John (@OWJohn) April 1, 2020
He did it!!! Well done @01Wickers who has been a massive supporter of #Run5K4NHS & helping spread the word. “Wickers” is part of the furniture up at @hassocksfc having played for the club in 4 different decades! What a servant! Thanks for donating! #LocalFootball #NHS https://t.co/pz5T5SNQOe
— Run5K4NHS (@Run5k4NHS) April 2, 2020
