Foresters Grant Streader Takes on the Isle of Wight Ultra Challenge for Charity
On the 3rd May, Foresters Friendly Society’s Head of Insurance Operations, Grant Streader, is taking part in an extreme 106km Ultra Marathon to raise donations for river conservation charity, The Rivers Trust.
The challenge is part of a wider fundraising initiative taking place across the Foresters Friendly Society to raise awareness and donations for The Rivers Trust, a charity leading the movement to protect and improve our rivers for us and future generations.
Grant will be running, jogging and walking across the Isle of Wight, covering a staggering 106km in total. Starting and ending at Chale, Grant will circumvent the dramatic Isle of Wight coastline to the west, following the coasts ups and downs past the ‘Needles’, before heading northwards to the halfway point in historic Cowes.
Grants journey will then continue around to Ryde, Bembridge, and Culver Down before the final stretch back into Chale. It really is an epic challenge with an elevation of 1800 metres along the way!
Grant shared “I signed up for the Ultra Challenge to push myself and to raise donations and awareness for The Rivers Trust. There’s lots of news coverage showing the dire state of rivers in the UK from pollution, sewage spills, and more. The work that the Rivers Trust do is helping to restore rivers to their natural state, which is vital for us and for future generations.”
Foresters Friendly Society has a tradition of supporting charitable causes each year and for 2024/2025, their President chose The Rivers Trust. Grant’s intense training plan to prepare for the event includes running, aerobics, interval training, elevations, and football, totalling 1,382.5 miles.
Grant added “I’m looking forward to the marathon and if anyone would like to show their support, any donation, big or small, will help to make a difference. Donations can be made through my Just Giving page at www.justgiving.com/page/grant-streader-1728984209715.”
Mark Lloyd, Chief Executive Officer at The Rivers Trust, commented “Rivers are vital to our wellbeing, wildlife and communities, but across the UK are, generally, not as healthy as they should be. The Rivers Trust is hugely grateful to Foresters Friendly Society for their support in our work restoring rivers, and working towards a future of wild, healthy, natural rivers for all.”
Jo Andrew, Foresters Friendly Society President, shared “On behalf of everyone at Foresters Friendly Society, I’d like to thank Grant for is amazing support of our Annual Charity Appeal. Good Luck Grant, I hope the sun shines for you on the day!”
To find out more about the Society’s Annual Charity Appeal, click here.