Glasgow Dad Takes on 500-Mile Challenge for BBC Children in Need in Memory of His Brother
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- October 29, 2025
46-year-old Clydebank dad, Shaun Ennis, is about to embark on an extraordinary 465-mile running and cycling challenge from London to Glasgow to raise £20,000 for BBC Children in Need.
Shaun, who works with Digicare Health UK, will set off from London’s Leicester Square on Wednesday 9 November, finishing six gruelling days later at BBC Scotland’s headquarters in Glasgow on Thursday 14 November. The challenge will see him push through wind, rain and exhaustion — all in memory of his brother Christopher, who tragically died by suicide a few years ago.
“My brother was just 35 when we lost him” says Shaun. “I wanted to do something meaningful to help families and young people who are struggling with their mental health. Children in Need does incredible work supporting them, so this felt like the right way to honour him.”
Shaun’s journey will take him across hundreds of miles and six intense stages: from Leicester Square to Leighton Buzzard (50 miles), Leighton Buzzard to Loughborough (84 miles), Loughborough to Warrington (91 miles), Warrington to Tebay (94 miles), Tebay to Lockerbie (69.5 miles), and finally Lockerbie to Glasgow (73 miles). He’ll be supported by family, friends, and a support car, with police escorts accompanying some parts of the route.
Training for the challenge has been relentless. Shaun has focused on Hyrox-style strength and endurance workouts, combined with long-distance running and cycling to prepare his body for the physical strain. He expects to spend around six hours each day on the road, depending on the weather and how his body holds up. “When things get tough, I think of my kids — Lilly-Anne, Mia, and Luke — and the families who need this support,” says Shaun. “That’s what will keep me going.”
Although Shaun has always been into fitness for his physical and mental wellbeing, this is by far the biggest challenge he has ever faced. “This training isn’t for the faint-hearted, but I’ve learned how resilient I can be,” he says. “I just hope the money I aim to raise helps save lives and gives young people the support they deserve. Every pound counts, so please donate generously. ”
His motivation is simple — to do something positive in the face of loss and to inspire others to take action. “Anyone can do something amazing to raise awareness and help others,” he says. “If my story inspires one person to reach out for help — or to help someone else — it’s worth every mile.”
When Shaun reaches the finish line at BBC Scotland, he plans to celebrate by jumping straight into the River Clyde. “It’ll be cold, but after 465 miles, I think I’ll have earned it,” he laughs.
Shaun is asking the public to get behind his challenge and donate whatever they can to BBC Children in Need, which funds mental health and wellbeing support for young people across the UK. You can support him here: Donate via JustGiving.
“I’ve had incredible support from my family, friends, and fellow Scots so far,” Shaun says. “People think I’m mad — but it wouldn’t be me if I wasn’t taking on something like this! ”
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