Fundraiser praised for lifeline support to Headway Jersey

A fundraiser whose friend was supported by brain injury charity Headway Jersey has been praised by staff for helping to keep it running.

Harry Mcalinden has raised thousands of pounds each year by taking part in extreme endurance events.

He set up the annual race Run for Frubbs in memory of his friend, which has become a reliable source of income for the charity.

Nadia Applegate, a neuro-physio at Headway, said: “We really couldn’t do it without him and his support.”

Mr Mcalinden ran up and down Mount Kilimanjaro in 24 hours in 2015 and around the coastline of Jersey three times in a row in 2019.

“I don’t know how he does it, even as a fairly fit physio,” Ms Applegate said.

“He’s completely dedicated. He’s done so many events for us and he’s raised thousands of pounds for our services to continue.”

Mr Mcalinden first started fundraising for the charity when it was looking for participants to run the London marathon.

He kept supporting Headway Jersey when he saw it was helping his friend Frank McFarlane.

“I don’t think it is big deal, the stuff I do,” Mr Mcalinden said.

“As long as I’ve got my two legs then it’s no great effort really.

“When Frank passed away in 2017, I thought I’d make a race in his memory and we’ve just rolled with it ever since and it always generates a couple of thousand pounds every year.”

He has been shortlisted for the BBC Radio Jersey Make a Difference Awards for his fundraising and the winner will be announced on Friday.