My name is Toby and I play U15 football for Workington Reds and Cockermouth JFC.

In April, Reds are travelling to Dortmund, Germany, for an international tournament. This is my third tour abroad and this year I want to contribute towards the cost myself.

For over four years now, football and athletics have taken me all over the country. Between league matches, cups, academy games, tournaments, local and national cross country races, most weekends and evenings are taken up with training or competition.

My family have always encouraged and supported me. Giving up their time and covering the cost of travel, entry fees, accommodation and everything that goes with competing regularly. I feel it is time I did my bit and help fund this trip.

Over the next 7 weeks I plan to increase my training runs by more than 160km, and for the first time add some regular fell running into my training schedule with over 4,000 metres of elevation across the fells on the Cockermouth skyline. To put this into perspective, 4,035 metres of elevation is the equivalent of climbing Ben Nevis three times — or Scafell Pike four times!

The skyline runs will include at least 14 fells from this list:

Binsey, Watch Hill, Dodd, Latrigg, Slate Fell, Sale Fell, Lothwaite, Rivens, Ling Fell, Barf, Lords Seat, Broom fell, Low Fell, Fellbarrow, Grassmoor, Burnbank Fell, gavel Fell, Blake Fell, Graystones, Whinlatter, Grassmoor and Skiddaw.

This is alongside:

• 3 football training sessions each week

• 2 match days (most weekends)

• Athletics training at least once a week.

Each week will look very different depending on my training load and weather condition's, but the work will still get done!

Every mile and metre of elevation is being tracked on Strava, with weekly updates posted here so you can follow the progress all the way to Dortmund.

If you would like to support the challenge, I would really appreciate it. Any money raised over my £1500.00 target will be donated to Cancer Research UK. 

Many thanks for your support

Toby