A Burnham-On-Sea fitness instructor has completed a gruelling challenge of walking up and down Brean Down 100 times in a day to raise money for a children’s charity and inspire others to conquer their personal goals.
Sonny Topham, 26, a lecturer at Bridgwater College, was cheered on by family and friends yesterday (Saturday, June 10th) as he completed the incredible 44,000 step challenge in just under 12 hours.
He started at 6.10am and finished at 6.09pm, climbing 9,700 metres during the day. Strong winds added to the difficulty of the challenge.
Several friends and relatives also joined him to walk several flights of the steps, but only he completed the full challenge.
He was greeted with loud cheers on the final descent of the Down, where he was hugged by family and friends.
Speaking to Burnham-On-Sea.com afterwards, he said it felt “amazing” to have completed it, saying that he was “feeling fine”.
Sonny said that this is “only the beginning”, with more fitness challenges being planned for the future.
He said the challenge has been “the furthest he has ever pushed himself in terms of fitness.”
Sonny was raising money for CLIC Sargent Children’s Cancer Charity and Sensational Kids Somerset. A final figure for how much was raised is being calculated.
Explaining why he did the challenge, he said: “I walked up and down the steps 10 times about two years ago and thought at the time ‘I wonder if I could do 100?'”
“The thought stuck with me and I recently realised it would be a great way of raising money at the same time as achieving a personal goal.”
Sonny, pictured being congratulated by his mother at the end, added: “I wanted to do this not only to raise money but to show people anything is possible if you put your mind to it and how important it is to get outside and be healthy and active – it makes you feel great.”
In total, Sonny climbed 44,000 steps over the 12 hours. He climbed the equivalent of Mount Everest, which sits at 8,848 metres, compared with the 9,700 metres he faced.
Sarah Lynch, Chairwoman of Sensational Kids, told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “We are all amazed at what Sonny has done and hugely grateful. He is such an incredible, positive person who has inspired us all today.”
“He also has also helped raise money for us and raise awareness of the work we do, which is superb. Sensational Kids provides support to families with children with additional needs. A big thank you goes to Sonny for all his backing.”
To sponsor Sonny, visit www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/STPC
