Jon O’Shea, an experienced runner and Chairman of leading accountancy firm, Haslers Chartered Accountants, is to challenge himself once again as he takes on the world-famous Comrades Ultra Marathon to raise money for the Dream Factory.

Jon will join hundreds of competitive runners in South Africa for the run on 9 June 2019, which takes place in the searing heat of South Africa between the towns of Durban and Pietermaritzburg.

The route will see Jon run just under 90 km and ascend more than 3,200 feet in altitude in less than 12 hours as he raises money for the Ilford-based charity, which has so far granted more than 460 dreams for children and young adults with serious life-limiting conditions.

Having previously raised more than £77,000 for charity through his various long-distance runs, which have included a marathon in deserts and the colds of Antarctica, Jon hopes that this latest challenge will help him raise more than £10,000.

Speaking about the upcoming challenge, Jon said: “I have had the honour of raising thousands for various charities in the past during my ultramarathon competitions, but the Comrades may be one of my toughest yet. 

“I have already received fantastic support from my colleagues at Haslers, but I would appreciate any amount of support that local people or businesses can offer. 

“It will enable The Dream Factory to fund further dreams, which make such a difference to the young people that the charity supports.”

If you would like to donate to Jon’s upcoming run in the Comrades Ultra Marathon, please visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/comrades2019