A FUNDRAISING couple who pound the streets to support charities in the town have been named the latest Community Champions by Oswestry mayor Councillor Jay Moore.

The award was handed to Kelly and Gary Clarke at Oswestry Guildhall on Monday, July 18 before the latest council meeting where they received the second Mayor’s Community Champion Award.

The award is an opportunity for the council to show its appreciation and recognition to community members for their outstanding contribution to the betterment of our town and its residents.

Cllr Moore explained why he chose Kelly and Gary for the award.

“For those that haven’t come across Kelly and Gary, they are both residents of Oswestry, and have devoted an extraordinary amount of time and effort into raising money for local charities," he said.

"Primarily for the Movement Centre and Hope House as well as several others.

"In 2014 Kelly started running, with a goal of improving her personal fitness but quickly set her sights on the London Marathon and put in a ballot to run, which unfortunately was unsuccessful.

"It just so happened, that following a chance conversation with Olympian Andy Clark, he informed Kelly that the Orthopaedic Hospital had charity places available, but she would need to raise £3,000.

"Amazingly, Kelly would go on to raise £7,000 and successfully complete the London Marathon.

"Following that success, both Kelly and Gary started choosing annual charities, and setting new challenges for themselves.

"In 2016 Kelly ran a half Marathon, by 2018 she had officially become a volunteer fundraiser for the Movement Centre.

"In July of 2020 Gary had planned to cycle from Lands End to John O Groats, however, when the pandemic struck, Scotland was closed.

"Undeterred he cycled to Marshall Meadows Bay instead, raising another £3000 in the process."

Cllr Moore added that both have continued to fundraise, even when the pandemic forced them to hold alternative and virtual events before starting again.

He added: "They started 2021 by competing in the Peddle Pushers event hosted by Adrenaline Sports.

"They completed the virtual London Marathon, completed the 26.2 challenge, a 10-mile hike for Hope House and more, again raising close to another £3,000.

"This year Kelly completed a Sunrise to Sunset walk, Gary a marathon for McMillan and he also finally made it to John O Groats when he cycled from Lands End in just 130 hours.

“They are runners, walkers, cyclists, cart wheelers, fundraisers and now, champions of Oswestry.”