Nub News' Stevenage FC writer Owen Rodbard has been busy fundraising for the NHS during the coronavirus crisis after his much-loved father died of the deadly disease.

Owen's loss during the first lockdown prompted him to run to honour Gary's memory and for the NHS who battled so hard to save his dad and countless others up and down the country.

Gritty Owen has been pushing himself with a gruelling challenge - to run 150km in 30 days - in a bid to raise much-needed cash to boost the NHS in responding to the Covid crisis.

Thanks to his grit and determination and the generosity of more than 100 friends, family and well-wishers, the 21-year-old has raised more than £1,500 already.

He's been running in all weathers including heavy snow during 2021 but has refused to quit - and now, the finish line eases into sight for the inspirational university student and massive Stevenage FC fan.

Read on for Owen's inspirational story.

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Ever since my dad passed away with from Covid in April, I'd always had the thought of taking part in some sort of fundraiser.

My dad was always a keen runner, he ran the London Marathon in 1998 and represented his county at national events when he was at school.

Therefore, I thought that running would be an appropriate way of raising money.

150km in 30 days doesn't seem like much running when you split it up, but add in the hilly terrain of Leeds (where I'm currently at university), heavy snow and a few hungover mornings and it's suddenly a different challenge.

I've played football for over 10 years now, but straight running is a very different affair.

It's been tough. Going straight into 150km after not properly training over any of the three lockdowns has taken its toll.

However the finish line is in sight

I've found that running in the north is very different to running in Hertfordshire.

The constant hills, the muddy paths and the freezing rainstorms have really hampered my progress.

There's been times when I've wanted to quit or just stop, which was also not helped much by the heavy snowfall which prevented me from running proper distance for three days.

I've had to push myself to catch up on those days when I couldn't run which has been the biggest challenge so far.

As I write this I'm 21 days into my challenge and currently I've raised £1,575

An incredible feet which wouldn't have been possible without the amazing generosity and kindness from over 100 donators.

The amount raised so far has really pushed me on and inspired me to keep going throughout these 30 days.

The publicity the challenge has received has also been incredible. I've appeared on BBC radio, ITV News and been interviewed by multiple newspapers, all which have boosted the fundraising effort.

The main purpose of this piece was to thank everyone who's donated.

This challenge hasn't just been physically demanding but also mentally.

The support I've received has been amazing and it's nice to know that so many people are looking out for me.

I wanted to prove to myself that after everything that's happened that I could push myself and really make a difference.

Hopefully this is just the start of my 'adventure' into running and one day I might even follow in my dad's footsteps of completing that marathon.

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