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Teacher Runs Marathon In Crocs To Raise Money For NHS

Teacher Runs Marathon In Crocs To Raise Money For NHS

Gunn decided to pay tribute to the nation’s NHS workers and carers with an added twist, having run the whole thing in Crocs

Jess Hardiman

Jess Hardiman

A man running a marathon in his back garden for charity decided to make the feat even harder by adding an extra challenge into the mix: Crocs.

Rafferty Gunn, a PE teacher from Watford, was supposed to be one of the many runners taking part in the London Marathon on Sunday 26 April.

With the event postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic, 27-year-old Gunn opted for a plan B and chose to complete the race in his tiny, six-metre garden instead, raising money for the NHS in the process.

But Gunn also decided to pay tribute to the nation's NHS workers and carers with an added twist, having run the whole thing in Crocs.

Gunn told LADbible: "People working in the healthcare system were saying how uncomfortable they have been working these long hours, so I thought, 'Why not do a marathon in a pair of Crocs, and I'll raise awareness for the NHS and a bit of money?'"

Rafferty Gunn

Gunn was blown over by the support his idea received, having originally set the target at £1,000 - only to end up raising more than 10 times that amount.

He continued: "I set the target of £1,000 and I think it was within two days we were at £3,000, so I upped the target to £5,000 and in another day we'd actually passed £5,000 as well.

"So the support from everyone just kind of went through the roof a little bit, which was amazing.

"And as the day went on and as I started getting to the end of the marathon, I think we were at £9,200 so I actually went on the live stream and said to everyone, 'The support you've given me has been amazing, so because you've supported me, I'd better go above and beyond as well'.

One of the pairs of Crocs Gunn ran in.
Rafferty Gunn

"So I decided to up the distance to 50km, which is 31 miles, and basically said, 'I'm gonna keep going until we get to £10,000'.

"And yes, we got the £10,000! I put a little shout out at the end, I think we were £7 short, so I said 'If someone can give me £7, then I can run up to the finish line', and then everyone chucked in £7 and we ended up on £11,000, which was just amazing really."

Gunn added: "I even got sent some money from the CEO of Crocs. He contacted my friend via LinkedIn.

"They sent me 12 pairs of Crocs as well, which was quite nice."

Rafferty Gunn

Gunn explained that he ran the race in several pairs of Crocs, as many people had actually sent them in ahead of the event.

"I had five different pairs of Crocs," he said.

"I would get people to vote on the different Crocs that I'd run in for like the next 10km.

"One pair of Crocs I had were blue and had the NHS symbol on them - they were two sizes too small. So I had my fingers crossed hoping people wouldn't vote for them, but they did, so I had to run 10-12km in a pair of Crocs that were too small, unfortunately. But it was worth it definitely!"

Overall, however, he didn't find the choice of footwear too painful, having made sure he popped a pair of socks on beforehand.

"Do you know what? It was alright in Crocs!" Gunn said.

"I've always worn Crocs, I've always kind of been into them."

Gunn has now raised an incredible £11,800 from the run; you can donate to the cause via GoFundMe here.

You can also follow Gunn on Instagram, where he's been posting workouts for people to follow at home.

Featured Image Credit: Rafferty Gunn

Topics: UK News, Crocs, News, Daily Ladness, Community, NHS