On 21st of June 2022, the longest day of the year, Kelling Heath Holiday Park's Deputy Parks Manager, Andrew Shorthose, set out on an ultra-run to raise money for the RNLI, Kelling Heath's charity partner for 2022.

Andrew set himself the challenge to run the distance between Blue Sky Leisure's Head Office in Meridian Way, Norwich, and Kelling Heath Holiday Park on the North Norfolk coast in one day.

Having set off at 4:31am, at 7:22pm, Andrew ran into to the Village Square at Kelling Heath, still smiling, to a warm welcome from staff and customers. He completed the 68 miles in a fantastic time of just over 14 hours.

After a well deserved drink and meal, Andrew was grateful to not have to run back to get his car in Norwich!

The challenge saw him run past Mill House, Bradwell, the company's previous Headquarters, and via Blue Sky Leisure's Woodhill Park in East Runton, with the aim to complete his journey in under 17 hours. En-route, Andrew passed iconic Norfolk landmarks, such as Hemsby beach and Happisburgh Lighthouse; the route encompassing many different terrains.

Shorthose said, “Thank you for all the support, with so many people enjoying our beautiful Norfolk coast, it's reassuring to know the RNLI are there to help keep people safe.”

Ben Black, Fundraising and Partnerships Lead – North & East Region for the RNLI, stated '“The entire RNLI family thanks Andrew for his tremendous achievement to raise funds for the RNLI, we are the charity that saves lives at sea and the money raised enables us to be there when the unexpected happens. Through his efforts Andrew has become a lifesaver too! – Thank you.”

The team at Blue Sky Leisure are proud of Andrew's achievement and the company will donate £1,000 to the RNLI as well as a commitment made to match any additional donations to a maximum of £2,500 overall.

To find out more about Kelling Heath Holiday Park please visit: www.kellingheath.co.uk

-ENDS-

For media enquiries and image requests please contact Hayley Musson, PR Account Manager at hayleym@thissrl.co.uk

Notes to editors

If you'd like to donate, please follow this link: Andrew Shorthose is fundraising for RNLI - Royal National Lifeboat Institution (justgiving.com)

Please credit photos to Andrew Shorthose

About Kelling Heath Holiday Park

Set amongst 300 acres of woodland and rare open heathland in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty not far from the North Norfolk coast, Kelling Heath offers holiday rental accommodation surrounded by nature. Guests can stay in Kelling Heath's impressive woodland lodges, a luxury holiday home, or in a touring caravan or tent.

Kelling Heath is unique amongst the holiday parks of Britain with an on-site Countryside Team dedicated to caring for its special natural environment and running a programme of educational activities for guests to enjoy.

Kelling Heath is blessed with a high-quality habitat that the park protects and enhances which benefits guests and the local wildlife. Kelling Heath is proud to be home to conservation projects for red squirrels and is home to an established bat population.

Kelling Heath is dedicated to the protection and sound management of the wider environment in East Anglia. All new build and refurbishment plans carried out include environmentally friendly initiatives and are planned with sustainability in mind.

For more information visit www.kellingheath.co.uk

Blue Sky Leisure

Blue Sky Leisure is owned by the Timewell family which has operated holiday parks in Norfolk for over forty years.

The company operates under the premier brand of Blue Sky Leisure with divisional trading businesses of Blue Sky Homes, Kelling Heath and Woodhill. 

The registered name of the company is Timewell Properties Limited.

For more information visit www.blueskyleisure.co.uk/

About the RNLI

The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. Powered primarily by kind donations, their search and rescue service has been saving lives for nearly 200 years.

The RNLI are a charity founded upon and driven by core values of selflessness, courage, dependability, and trustworthiness, with volunteers at its heart.

Volunteers make up 95% of the organisation - ordinary people doing extraordinary things - supported by expert staff, all working together to help communities at home and abroad save lives.

For more information visit https://rnli.org/