72-year-old charity trustee runs 72 miles to send 72 Ghanaian children to school

Melvyn Walmsley decided to run the distance in a month so 72 children in the African country can attend school.

The retired history teacher said: “I was very conscious of the fact that both my parents had died at the age of 72.

“I decided that the event would be between the two birthdays of my parents — my mother was born on February 18 and my father was born on March 18 — and I would run 72 miles to raise enough money.”

Melvyn is the acting chair and trustee of a small charity called Lovey Foundation UK, which raises funds to support a small non-governmental organisation in North Eastern Ghana in sending children to school who otherwise not be able to go.

“It costs £72 per child, we were told, to equip them for school,” he said.

Melvyn, originally of Laughton en le Morthen but now of Haywards Heath, West Sussex, said his past as a hobby long-distance runner was helping him during the challenge.

“I did take up distance running when I got a job at Newcastle-upon-Tyne University,” he said.

“In the 1980s, it [Newcastle] was the capital city of distance running.

“Living up there where distance runners such as Steve Cram were idolised, I did take up distance running as a hobby.

“Once I had come down here from the North East in 1985 I continued that and I ran one marathon in 3hrs and 9mins, which is not bad.”

This is not Melvyn’s first milestone challenge — two years ago he marked turning 70 by running 70 miles.

“As a result, a large number of children have been able to go to school,” he said.

“People’s generosity is incredible.”

Melvyn still has a little way to go to complete the challenge but said he was on track.

He added: “The target I’m going for is £5,184 (72 x 72).

“As of this morning, we’ve got 40 per cent of that.”

You can help Melvyn’s cause by visiting and donating at https://tinyurl.com/melvyn72.