California support for charity world record marathon attempt

Just as the nation is tucking in to their Easter Eggs, one man, Bernie Hollywood, will start a world record attempt to complete 35 marathons in 22 days by running over 926 miles from John O’Groats to Lands End and then completing the London marathon, with a Volkswagen California campervan as both his support vehicle and accommodation for the entire trip.

Apart from achieving a new world record, the key motivation for Bernie to attempt such an incredible journey is also to raise £100,000 for the Barnardo’s charity, which will help improve the lives of 50 disadvantaged young people.

Bernie will start running at 5am on Saturday 22 March and plans to reach Land’s End on Friday 11 April, before then travelling back for the Flora London Marathon on Sunday 13 April.

Bernie, 48, is a Business Development Manager for Lloyds TSB Cardnet, has already raised over three quarters of a million pounds for UK charities by completing other challenges, such as walking unsupported to the North Pole in temperatures of minus 70 degrees.

Anybody wishing to support Bernie can donate via his webpage at justgiving.com/berniesjourney or read his daily blog and track his route via barnardos.org.uk/berniesjourney.

The Volkswagen California will be a home from home for Bernie and his two support colleagues. The California is the latest incarnation of Volkswagen’s long tradition of campervans and makes the perfect vehicle for their journey by offering the practicality of car-like day-to-day transport, yet can sleep four, has a cooker, sink, cool box, electrically operated raising roof and even comes complete with a folding chairs and an outside table. For more information, please visit volkswagen-vans.co.uk/california.