A TADLEY pastor dubbed 'Iron Sam' will be cycling 100 miles and then running a marathon to raise awareness for Youth Mental Health Day.
Sam Dunn, the children and youth Community Pastor for Tadley, will complete the cycle in Tadley Sainsbury’s.
He will then run a marathon following a mile-long track along the High Street and back through the supermarket.
Sam, who was born in Tadley, spoke about the necessity of raising funds so Basingstoke Community Churches can continue to support schools in the region.
He is known to hundreds of children in the community, coaching many of them each week across the primary and secondary schools.
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He said: “A large portion of the work I do is to support children and young people with their emotional and mental wellbeing. I want to show the community that someone is there to champion the needs of children and young people, someone who really cares about them.”
Some of the children Sam supports from Tadley Primary School, Bishopswood Junior School and Burnham Copse Primary School will be coming down to Sainsbury’s on the day - September 20 - to boost his fundraising by packing bags at the checkout.
Sam said he was excited for the challenge, but admitted he felt underprepared.
He said: “Working full time and with a one-year-old at home, there hasn’t been much time for training. I do what I can, but I think it’s going to be quite a painful experience!”
Amelia Mohain, deputy head teacher at Tadley Primary School, said the whole school was behind Sam.
She said: “Sam has been a fantastic asset to our school. He has been an excellent role model to our children, engaging in games and play with them as well as providing a mentor role to some of our pupils who have needed the extra support and guidance.
"I have had parents tell me how much their child looks forward to his visits and the children themselves always ask if it is a Sam Day!"
To donate to Sam’s fundraiser, go to justgiving.com/crowdfunding/ironsam.
Iron Sam’s campaign has raised £1,695 so far, and aims to reach £5,000 by the end of the challenge.
The funds will be used to support him and other community volunteers working in Tadley’s schools.
- This article was written by Flora Symington
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