Ashraf Wallace raises £30,000 for Pakistan flood victims

Ashraf Wallace also completed five other long-distance races and, in total, ran 150 miles to support those affected by one of the worst disasters of recent times.

Ashraf, who is a business analyst, took on the New York, Chicago, Berlin and London marathons – as well as the Bradford, Leeds and London 10ks, the Great North Run and the Big Half.

Ashraf – who describes himself as a “husband, father and Bradford City fan” – ran on behalf of Wakefield-based charity Penny Appeal.

“Never did I imagine I’d be doing something as huge as this, and never did I think it’d be possible,” he said.

“But with every mile I run, I become more determined to do more and to continue to help those suffering - this is my ultimate motivation.”

Ashraf at the Chicago Marathon (Image: Ashraf Wallace)

In preparation for his gruelling challenges, Ashraf ran 40 miles every week for several months.

“Running four major world marathons in seven weeks is one of the hardest challenges I’ve ever completed,” he added.

Ashraf in London (Image: Ashraf Wallace)

“There were times when I struggled, but I would think of the reason why I’m running and all the people who had made donations.

“It was hard to be in different countries running on your own. There were tears, there were text messages to family saying I wasn’t sure if I could do it, but they supported me.”

The monsoon floods that have hit Pakistan in recent months are some of the worst in history, leaving millions of people homeless and destitute.

Since June, the floods have left people without food, water or shelter.

The money Ashraf raised is providing much-needed assistance to these families.

Ashraf running slightly closer to home, in the Bradford 10k (Image: Ashraf Wallace)

Penny Appeal Founder, Adeem Younis, said: “I am extremely proud of the challenges Ash continues to set himself.

“To think that his first ever race was the Bradford 10k, and to have him now running world major marathons, is a remarkable achievement.

“He is helping to raise life-changing funds for communities suffering the devastating impacts of the Pakistan floods, and I am grateful to him and all the donors supporting him on this epic journey.”

Ashraf is now preparing for another world major, the Tokyo Marathon.

He will be spending the winter training for this iconic run, which is set to take place in March 2023.