Story added: 31st July 2024

Tim's Story

Every year, hundreds of runners opt to run Run Norwich for charity, fundraising for a whole host of different causes.

The Community Sports Foundation frequently has several hundred willing runners pull on their trainers and take to the streets of Norwich, whilst donning the crest of the charity they feel so passionately about.

The thousands of pounds raised each Run Norwich by these fabulous fundraisers helps charities across Norfolk to offer much needed support and assistance to disadvantaged people and communities.

For Tim Hirst, Run Norwich 2024 will be just another event on his long and impressive résumé of fundraising events and challenges.

Tim, who is now in his early eighties, has been been a serial fundraiser for almost twenty-five years. His first major challenge came in 2000, when he travelled to Tanzania to climb Mount Kilimanjaro.

Not long after his trip to Africa, Tim set his eyes on a new summit – Mount Aconagua in Argentina. With various different charities all on board for Tim’s second mountaineering mission, he headed overseas once again.

Mount Aconagua proved to be a trickier obstacle than Tim had planned for – he had to end his ascent at 21,000ft. Nonetheless, this wouldn’t deter the fundraising fanatic, who proceeded to attempt Aconagua a further six times as well as completing the Three Peaks Challenge twice whilst back in the UK.

With the summit of the Argentinian peak still evading Tim, his hard work and commitment to the challenge certainly hasn’t been in vain, with his monumental efforts raising nearly £80,000 for a host of charities including EACH, the Norfolk & Norwich Association for the Blind and Great Ormond Street Hospital.

With a host of impressive fundraising challenges now under his belt, Tim began searching for something new to test his grit and determination. It wasn’t until 2017 when Tim’s wife Rachel joined local running club Bungay Black Dogs that he discovered his love for running and the potential the sport had for further fundraising.

Since his first training sessions seven years ago, Tim has gone on to compete in running events up and down the country, including the Cornwall, Edinburgh and London marathons. He runs all of his races for charity, with his fundraising campaigns raising thousands of pounds.

Run Norwich 2024 will be Tim’s second time running in the event, with his first back in 2019. Opting to run for the Norwich City Community Sports Foundation this time round, we asked Tim about his choice of charity in September’s much-anticipated event:

“For me it was simply a case of looking to increase my miles after a heart operation I had to have last May. Running is not only important in maintaining my own fitness post-operation but is also a fantastic way to raise money for a local charity.”

Tim was also keen to tell us of his love for the Norwich-based 10k run, which will be celebrating its 8th edition this year.

“I can’t wait to cross the finish line! The atmosphere from the crowds is always superb and the sense of fulfilment I get from completing events like Run Norwich is amazing. I love knowing that my efforts will help benefit those who really need it.”

Tim’s fundraising efforts really are nothing short of sensational – he truly puts his heart and soul into giving back to the causes and charities that he feels strongly about – but how does he consistently raise monumental sums of money?

“To those fundraising for their respective charities in Run Norwich 2024 I would say this – don’t be afraid to ask people to support you on your journey! If people can see your passion for the cause and understand the hard work involved they usually want to help! I would definitely set up a JustGiving page and share your fundraising progress on social media as well.”

Tim was also keen to express his thanks to his wife Rachel, who is also an avid runner and fundraiser herself. Rachel has supported Tim throughout all his adventures and also runs for the Bungay Black Dogs. She has previously participated in Run Norwich and will this year act as a guide runner for local blind runner, Sarah, who’s story can be read here.

Everyone involved with Run Norwich and the Community Sports Foundation would like to wish Tim luck in this year’s event, and thank him for his epic fundraising efforts, which, at the time of publishing, has accumulated a fantastic £1,831.25.

To head to Tim’s JustGiving page, click here.