Richard Williman, widely known as The Running Cricketer, is set to participate in the Great Manchester Run on May 31 while wearing full cricket gear. This emotional fundraising challenge is inspired by the loss of his wife, Erika, who passed away in 2022 after battling bowel cancer.
A Campaign Born from Grief
The run is part of Richard's broader 'Finding the Ashes' campaign, which supports the Ruth Strauss Foundation. This charity aids families facing an incurable cancer diagnosis. Richard is channeling his grief into a monumental 10,000-mile endurance journey that spans historic Ashes cities across the UK and Australia.
Starting with the London Marathon, the challenge will take him through Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester, and Newcastle before culminating at the Sydney Marathon. This symbolic route is closely tied to cricket's famous Ashes rivalry.
From Loss to Legacy
Richard expressed his gratitude: "I wouldn't be able to take this on without the support from those around me, from my family to everyone backing the challenge, including the SuperNutrio team. Having SuperNutrio milk as part of my daily routine has been central to keeping me going, playing a key role in supporting my training and recovery during these long-distance efforts to help me bounce back more quickly between races."
He added: "Everyone's support has made this challenge possible, but the motivation runs much deeper. This is about making sure more families know where to turn during moments of difficulty. If it helps even one family at a time when they need it most, that would be the best legacy for Erika we could hope for."
Support from SuperNutrio
Bill Randles, Managing Director at SuperNutrio, commented: "Richard's dedication to this cause is truly inspiring, and we're proud to support him on such an incredible journey. We hope our contribution helps make a meaningful difference to families facing loss."
A Personal Journey
Erika was diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer in 2020 and died in July 2022, leaving Richard and their two children, Seb and Alex. Since then, Richard has dedicated his fundraising efforts to the Ruth Strauss Foundation, which was established to support families during the most difficult stages of an incurable cancer diagnosis.
Richard's challenge will continue through to the 2027 Ashes series. Supporters can follow his progress and donate throughout the journey.
