Over the years, Adam Constable and Johnnie Wraith (the self-named ‘Putney Gumps’) have raised absolutely thousands for the Down’s Syndrome Association (DSA) through their fundraising challenges and this year is no different. Starting on Friday 10 September, the duo are planning to run seven marathons in seven days along the Thames Path, hoping to raise a whopping £30,000 for the DSA and the Cystic Fibrosis Trust in the process.
“Max, who is mine and Judie’s son, is a fun, energetic and happy 16 year old who has Down’s syndrome. A few years ago he was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes, a new challenge which has brought a fast learning curve for us. The Down’s Syndrome Association has provided invaluable support over the years. And Maddie Turner, the 16-year-old daughter of close family friends to the Constables, is an inspiration to those living with Cystic Fibrosis; and the CFT is leading the fight to find ways to make every day less of a struggle.”
Johnnie Wraith
The Challenge
Running the historic Thames Path, a route that stretches 186 miles from the source of the river at Kemble in the Cotswolds to the sea, traditionally marked by the Thames Barrier. The final leg will take them from Putney to the Barrier. The Putney Gumps will be sending regular updates via their website.
Their fundraising page is still open – click here!
“We are delighted that the ‘Putney Gumps’ have once again chosen us as one of their charities to fundraise for. The amount of money Adam and Johnnie have raised for us over the years is phenomenal so to take on yet another (crazy) and gruelling challenge is absolutely amazing. Our members and supporters are the backbone of the DSA as the money they raise allows us to continue supporting people who have Down’s syndrome throughout their lives.”
The Down’s Syndrome Association
Past Challenges
This isn’t the first time the Gumps have taken on a challenge. They’ve been doing it for the past 15 years.
In 2019, the pair set themselves the target of breaking the four-hour marathon mark, and completed the Virtual London Marathon in a time of 3 hours 43 minutes, raising more than £10,000 in the process.
In 2018, they raised more than £76,000 completing 12 Marathons in 12 Months. Read more
In 2016, the pair ran 126 miles over two races within a week – the 2016 London Marathon and the Thames Path 100m ultra from Richmond to Oxford. They also ran the inaugural 65km Great Strides Ultra Marathon, and have run it twice since in 2018 and 2019. The 100km ‘Race to the Stones’ in 2014 was the Putney Gumps’ first Ultra. Johnnie organised a challenge that involved a team of heroic runners and cyclists covering 360 miles in 36 hours in a relay from Portland Bill to Teddington, the home of the DSA, and before that a 50-mile Dragon Boat marathon down the Thames.
Thank you Adam and Johnnie.
You are true fundraising heroes and an inspiration. Best of luck.
