Runner who recovered from horror car crash on course to complete a fundraiser a month for Hartlepool hospice as he turns 60

Phil Holbrook, from Hartlepool, is doing a different fundraising activity for each of the next 12 months to coincide with his 60th birthday and support the work of the hospice.

His achievements are even more remarkable as Phil, a keen runner, recovered from multiple broken bones and injuries when he was in a horrific car crash that saw him lose his wife Sally, 48, just before Christmas in 2012.

He has previously held quizzes and music nights. Now, for his next monthly challenge, Phil will take part in Run To Infinity And Beyond in Durham on Sunday, February 16.

Competitors see how many laps of the 3.2-mile river route they can do in seven hours.

“It is an endurance run and will be quite challenging,” said Phil. “It will be good practice for the Brathay Windermere Marathon which I am doing in May and also ticks the box for an event in February.”

And on March 1, Phil will saddle up for a Cycle A Marathon event from Hartlepool to Dalton Park and back.

He will be riding a tandem with friend Darrel Slater having only very recently tried getting on a bike again since the crash.

Phil, a retired Middlesbrough Council worker, is looking for business backers to sponsor one or 26 mile markers provided by Travis Perkins.

For £50, each one will carry the sponsor’s name and logo.

Phil and friends have raised thousands for Alice House Hospice over the years in Sally’s name as she was a big supporter of the charity.

He added: “I have supported the hospice since the 80s and Sally used to support them as well.

“After her death and when I got myself pulled round I decided to go and put myself out to try to get them some money because they are such a great organisation.”

Any local businesses interested in sponsoring Phil can contact him by email at [email protected] or call him on 07399 420701.