A CROSSGATES accountant has set himself a daunting challenge for this year – to run, swim and cycle 2015 miles.

Andrew Stephen (29) volunteers with Over The Wall, part of Paul Newman’s Serious Fun network, who provide the opportunity for children with life-threatening illnesses to go to recreation camps all over the UK.

The Press spoke to Old Hillview Place resident Andrew, originally from Dundee, about how he intends to reach his goal, which involves the equivalent of covering just over five-and-a-half miles every day of the year.

He said, “At first I didn’t think it was that bad but then I realised it was fairly ambitious. I’m turning 30 this year and I always wanted a big holiday to kind of make something of it. Unfortunately, my birthday is 3rd November and I have to sit a tax exam on that day!

“I thought, well, I’m also doing the Rob Roy Challenge for the charity in June which is 39 miles of cycling and 16 of running and I have to train for that so I thought about keeping a record for my own personal use and wondered if I could do 1000 miles.

“Then I realised why not make something of the whole year and do something for the charity. With the training for Rob Roy I should be able to do 2000 miles. It’s over the whole year and for the charity and I’m raising £2015 as well. It spontaneously escalated into this massive monster! The next day I realised that I have to do 39 miles a week – it’s a fair challenge.” Andrew has always been a fan of running and cycling and years ago he would go everywhere by bike but when he moved to Aberdeen for his career he found that the city wasn’t too bike-friendly and he’s been off it for six years.

Andrew said, “I’ve been more into swimming recently but I knew I had to get out on the bike and running for the challenge. The miles are going to be done through hillwalking, running, biking and swimming although about 95 per cent of the miles will be done on the bike. My total so far is 213 but I should have done 468!” More about Andrew’s challenge, including how to donate as well as a very honest spreadsheet of his progress, is available to view at uk.virginmoneygiving.com/AndrewStephen