Macclesfield man runs marathon to thank charity who helped him
A Macclesfield man has completed a Cheshire marathon for a charity which helped him 'when no one else would'.
Shane Bowes has completed the Chester Marathon whilst raising vital funds for a Macclesfield charity.
He completed the 26.2 mile course on Sunday October 8, battling against a balmy October day.
Shane finished with a time of 3:30:53, in what was his first-ever marathon.
And it is not just athletic goals Shane should be proud of, as he smashed his fundraising target he wished to raise for the charity Reach Out and Recover.
So far, he has raised £940, with donations still coming in, well over his initial £500 goal.
As well as running through the historic streets of Chester, seven miles of the journey are in Wales.
Macclesfield Nub News met with Shane the day after his big race.
"I ran for Reach Out and Recover," said Shane.
"They helped me when no one else would, I wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for their support love and encouragement.'
"I wanted to do a marathon as it was a challenge for my body. I'm quite into fitness as I spent many years being an alcoholic, destroying myself. So now I am all about health and wellbeing.
"My training was for 16 weeks, and involved hill-running, easy runs down the canal, speedwork on Macclesfield's parks."
The east Macclesfield resident's fundraiser is still open for more donations.
"The whole experience was amazing", added Shane.
"When you run a long run on your own, it is quite hard, you have to push yourself. But I found it a lot easier when there was 4500 people doing the same thing around me.
"And there was bands playing music on street corners for motivation, it helped that the scenery was beautiful too."
Shane, who you may recognise from attending Macclesfield Park Run, wants to do the charity marathon all over again next year.
"I'm open to new things, so an Ultra Marathon might be a great idea," Shane also said.
"I would like to show my gratitude to each and every one of you who have donated.
"ROAR is such a great cause. I wouldn't be here today if it weren't for them. I was very, very ill, in and out of hospital.
"I was sectioned twice, I was homeless for three months. I didn't see myself getting anywhere, where I was. Nobody seemed to, or wanted to bother to help until ROAR came along.
"I didn't think there was help out there. To those people out there who are struggling with an addiction, there is help for you. There are people who do care, and want to help you if you are in the thick of it."
Reach Out and Recover is a recovery housing project offering a safe, secure, stable 24-hour supported environment for people to reside. They have nine bedrooms at their site in Macclesfield.
Will Meek, HR Co-ordinator at Reach Out and Recover (ROAR) said: "Reach Out and Recover is a community interest organisation, that helps those that have struggled in life and that have been affected by addiction."
"ROAR is running a programme of recovery for up to 24 months, offering accommodation, round the clock support, group sessions, to help people change their lives.
"Shane successfully is an inspiration to others, three years ago Shane started his journey, he had hit a brick wall in life, he had become homeless and lost his way through addiction. He was in a bad way physically and mentally.
ROAR offers 24 hour support. The Macclesfield non-profit's services can be accessed via the referral of a GP or health professional.
Macclesfield: For more information on the local good cause, please click HERE and HERE.
Once again, you can donate to Shane's charity crowdfunder on this link.
See Also: MP calls on Cheshire East to reduce speed limit on rural Macclesfield road
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