Former Ripon mayor Stuart Martin is running to beat diabetes
The causes that two Ripon runners are raising funds for are thousands of miles apart 🌍, but Stuart Martin and Karyn Feingold are determined to reach the finishing line together later this year 🏅.
Stuart, who served two consecutive terms as city Mayor from 2004 until 2006 👔, can be regularly seen dashing around our ancient streets 🏰 putting up displays created by the non‑stop knitters of Ripon Community Poppy Project 🧶, which he founded in 2017 with Hazel Barker, who was made Freeman of the City in 2019 🎖️.
Now, with guidance and encouragement from his gym buddy and fellow member of Ripon Runners 🏃♀️ Karyn Feingold, he is aiming to achieve a long‑held ambition by covering the ultra‑marathon distance of 29 miles between Ripon Cathedral and York Minster on July 25 🏃♂️➡️⛪.
As well as raising funds for Community House – the Allhallowgate‑based charity that provides practical help and advice for local people ❤️ – Stuart, who was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes 15 years ago, is determined to raise awareness of the major benefits that regular exercise and a healthy diet can play in keeping the chronic condition under control 🍎🥗.
He told Tim Flanagan of the Rejoicing in Ripon Blog:
“It’s my 70th birthday on August 8 🎂 and I mentioned to Karyn that I want to do at least one marathon before I reach the three score years and ten milestone.”
“She has been helping me ever since to get into the condition I need to be in to take part in a run that is three miles further than the traditional marathon distance of 26.2 miles 🏃♂️.”
“Prior to this, I was obese and eating too much of the wrong type of food 🍰, but I’m pleased to report that over the months in which I have been following Karyn’s advice, I’ve lost a lot of weight ⚖️, my blood sugar levels have steadily come down to a satisfactory reading 💉, and I’m feeling tremendous 🌟.”
“If I can do this at the age of 69, I hope that it encourages others to do the same 🙌.”
Retired firefighter Stuart, who was awarded an MBE in 2010 for services to the community, was one of the principal movers behind the setting up of the Community House initiative and is the chairman of trustees 🏠.
He has already raised more than £1,000 for the charity 💷, and anybody wanting to sponsor him for his upcoming ultra‑marathon can do so here:
👉 Sponsor Stuart
💖 Supporting survivors of rape
Karyn, who works as an administrator at Ripon Grammar School 🎓, is raising money for a non‑profit organisation that supports survivors of rape in her native South Africa, where her childhood friend Jes Foord set up a foundation to assist victims and their families.
She explained:
“Jes was herself the victim of a horrific gang rape while walking dogs with her father 🐕. Her dad was brutally assaulted and tied to a tree 🌳 before being forced to witness the attack on her.”
“From unimaginable trauma, she has gone on to build the Jes Foord Foundation, which empowers survivors, educates communities, and raises awareness around rape and sexual assault 💜. Her courage has created hope for so many others 🌈.”
Karyn added:
“The statistics in South Africa are heartbreaking 💔. Someone is raped every 17 seconds ⏱️. As a teacher having taught many students to read and write 📚, one statement especially stays with me: ‘A girl born in South Africa has a higher chance of being raped than learning how to read.’”
To sponsor Karyn, please click below:
👉 Sponsor Karyn
📸 Stuart Martin and Karyn Feingold will run the ultra‑marathon distance of 29 miles from Ripon Cathedral to York Minster on July 25.
Photograph: Tim Flanagan, Rejoicing in Ripon Blog for Ripon BID.
