Man runs from Leeds to London to see Sam Fender in concert
Andy, who works in the emergency services, was not originally planning the marathon fundraiser when he bought tickets to see Fender play in London, as part of his People Watching tour. He said: "I bought the ticket and instantly I thought, I wonder if I can run from Leeds to London?".
Andy is using the challenge to raise money for grassroot music venues "to help make a difference to that sector"."I loved going to music venues, especially small independent ones, when I was struggling with my mental health," he said."On a particular day, when I wasn't feeling too great, I would book a tickets for the most random gig."I knew I would go into those places and feel a sense of community, so I wanted to create a fundraiser to help make a difference to that sector - which I felt like, at the time I was struggling, I owe my life to it" he said.In addition, Fender is donating £1 from every ticket sale sold for the UK dates to the charity, something which "reinforced" Andy's decision.
During the week-long journey, Andy will start and end each leg at a different music venue, including the Leadmill in Sheffield which recently announced it is leaving its current venue.Friends, music and podcasts will power Andy through the challenge, which he plans to break into 10-hour running shifts.
He said the financial outlay he has spent on equipment will be another incentive to complete the challenge. "Once I get stuff like the clothing and branding - being a Yorkshire man - it gets me thinking, I have paid for it now - so I have to do the job now. I have got to see it through."Even in the difficult bits, I will think, I have paid for this top - I have to do it now!"
So which Sam Fender songs will provide Andy with inspiration on his journey?"Seventeen Going Under will feel like such a big song. But recently, off his latest album, Nostalgia's Lie has been quite a good song for me."It feels very relevant to this journey. I'm sort of looking towards my future self, if that makes sense?"
Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
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