After seeing friends and colleagues contracting and working on the frontline against coronavirus, this man was desperate to give something back to the NHS.
Making use of his spare time during lockdown, Neil Parker decided to run a marathon in his own back garden to raise funds.
Last Saturday, Neil ran 918 laps of his garden, symbolically shaped in a rainbow, in over four hours raising over £2000 and hopes to reach his ambitious target of £18,0005 - entry pay for an NHS nurse.
Neil was inspired to help the NHS after a colleague and his father contracted and recovered from the coronavirus and he also wanted to show his support for his friend, Georgia, who is putting her life at risk while working as an ICU nurse.
The 42-year-old, who works for ACAS, said: “I wanted to give something back to the NHS who cared for my colleague and his father.
"Through doing this I also wanted to give some recognition to the NHS staff, like Georgia, who are facing life and death decisions every day and putting their lives at risk to help others.”
Whilst the nation unite together on their doorsteps, windows and gardens every Thursday night to applause our NHS heroes, Neil wanted to do more to show his appreciation.
Neil, who is hoping to participate in the worlds biggest half marathon, the Great North Run, in September, wanted to challenge himself further and worked out the number of laps he needed to complete a full marathon in his back garden.
Neil said: “From running it has done my hips and knees in but this a small sacrifice is nothing compared to those who are risking their lives.
"I chose to raise £18,005, a starting salary of a nurse, for a bit of recognition of how little they are paid and what sacrifices they are having to make."
Alongside reaching his target, Neil is hoping to get Naga Munchetty from BBC Breakfast to run a marathon in her garden.
And Neil encourages others do take part and run their own marathon in their back garden to help raise money to support the NHS staff who are working on the frontline.
To help Neil reach his £18,005 target donate by visiting his JustGiving page here.
