An 8-year-old from Staffordshire has completed a marathon in the space of just a week to fundraise for the Smash The Tash campaign which is raising money for the NHS amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Youngster Noah Barker rolled into Porthill Park Cricket Club today to complete his phenomenal effort, running the final two-and-a-half miles in what has been a memorable week for everyone involved.
And later today, the winning ticket will be drawn in a raffle for a Porthill cricket shirt signed by England captain Joe Root, which was donated by main club sponsors Environmental Essentials to help boost the fundraising effort.
As of Sunday afternoon (May 24), Noah’s incredible feat brought in £750 for the cause.
After finishing the race, Noah told Sport in Staffs that he felt “good” about raising such a large amount for the cause.
“He has made me and his mum exceptionally proud,” Dad Gavin told Sport in Staffs.
“He’s a terrific young man and his ethic towards this makes us full of pride.”
Noah was inspired to do something for the doctors and nurses in the NHS after seeing Longton CC player Luke Woodward complete back-to-back marathons last weekend for the Smash The Tash campaign.
“He followed Luke’s progress on Instagram and then we went down to see him on his Porthill leg and was inspired by his running,” Gavin explained.
“He said ‘I want to do a marathon over the course of a week’ and help the NHS so he’s got up at 6.30am everyday to run four miles before homeschooling.
“He hasn’t really ran more than two miles in one go before. He’s found it tough but he’s never moaned and just gets on with it really. He’s quite a level-headed young man, and he’s very proud of what he’s doing but I don’t think he quite understands what an exceptional thing he’s done.”
Gavin said that was extremely grateful to Environmental Essentials for donating the signed shirt.
“I can’t thank the guys enough,” he said.
“They’re an amazing main sponsor to the cricket club and to do this is really touching, so I’d personally like to thank the guys.”
Gavin’s brother and Noah’s Uncle Craig Barker, who along with David Fairbanks and David Edwards started the Smash The Tash campaign, described his nephew’s feat as “phenomenal.”
“It was really nice, he rang up to say he was inspired by Woody and would like to do something to raise money for doctors and nurses,” he told Sport in Staffs.
“It was lovely, really heartwarming. For an 8-year-old to run all that – we’re all super proud.”
The Smash The Tash fundraising campaign passed another milestone this week, with the total amount of money raised now past £20,000.
“It’s incredible how the whole cricket community has got behind it, I can’t thank everyone enough,” said Craig.
“Never in a million years did I think we could get this much. When we first set it up, our goal was £500 and here we are today at over £20,000.
“It’s heartwarming to see the amount of people who wanted to get involved – only yesterday another young man said he was inspired by Noah and wanted to run a mile a day through May.
“From everyone who has donated, shared it on social media and raised money, I can’t thank them enough.”
All proceeds from the campaign will be donated to NHS Charities Together.
To donate to the cause, click here.
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