Runners inspired by Marcus Rashford take on 5km a day in November to raise funds for a Portchester food pantry

Football coach Peter Sanderson and personal trainer Warren Chebby have teamed up to tackle this running challenge after seeing footballer Marcus Rashford campaigning to end child food poverty.

Peter and Warren are each taking on a 5km run every day throughout this month, with various friends joining in along the way including pal Josh Dean.

The sporty duo hope to raise at least £1,000 for Portchester Methodist Church’s food pantry, which is offering fresh, tinned and dried food for those in need.

Peter, 36, ran a marathon up and down his street during the first lockdown to raise money for AFC Portchester youth teams and raised more than £1,000.

On this latest fundraising event for the food pantry, Portchester resident Peter said: ‘It’s a local thing where people who are in need of food can go and don’t have to feel ashamed to go there.

I think it’s important because I think a lot of people just look at their own life and think everything’s alright. I have been very privileged and my kids are supported and have everything they need.

‘When you look at what Marcus Rashford is doing, you see there are people out there who don’t have that. I just want to make sure there’s equal opportunities out there for people.’

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Although the pair try to run together when they can, they have also been doing their runs separately some days - with Warren taking it one step further.

Alongside his 5km run, Warren from Hilsea has also been doing 300 press ups to up the challenge.

The 46-year-old said: ‘When we saw Marcus Rashford on TV trying to get some help for kids struggling with food, we came up with the idea of doing this locally. It seems to have caught on.

‘The response from everyone has been really supportive and helping towards raising the money which is very good. It’s something really good for the community.

‘We know during this time people are struggling so if we can help, why not?’

They have already raised more than half of their £1,000 target.

Visit gf.me/u/y6m67b to donate to the fundraising target.

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