A 21-year-old with Down Syndrome has raised over £320,000 after completing an incredible 10 10ks in 10 countries.
Over the course of six intense days, Joseph Adams completed his remarkable challenge in his hometown of Altrincham on Sunday 1st September at the Altrincham 10k.
Joseph started his challenge on August 27th in Amsterdam before taking on 10ks in Liege, Luxembourg City, Heidelberg, Bregenz, Zurich, Como, Monaco and Nice, before returning to Altrincham for the final leg.
Running two 10ks each day, Joseph dealt with intense temperatures and ran for a total of over 20 hours.
His first and last 10ks, completed in Amsterdam and Altrincham, took just over 1 hour and 20 minutes each.
To date, Joseph has raised over £320,000 for the Altrincham FC Foundation to fund a disability sports programme.
Businesses including AO, Castore, Travel Counsellors, Houlihan Lokey, DMR and Mission to Mars have all backed the challenge.
Due to the success of the fundraising, which started with an initial target of £100,000 and has now been increased to £500,000, the Foundation intends to expand its plans to spread the ‘No Limits’ message, providing more opportunities for individuals with special needs to receive much-needed training and employment opportunities.
Joseph was joined on his challenge by sisters Megan, Eleanor and Grace, mum and dad Julie and Phil, and first aider and family friend Jo Racle.
Joseph said: “I was so happy to finish and see all of my friends in the crowd. I really struggled with the heat but with the help of extra malt loaf and 80s rock music, I was able to make it. My favourite songs were The Final Countdown, Livin’ on a Prayer and Don’t Stop Believing.”
Joseph’s challenge has been called ‘No Limits’ because, as dad Phil said: “Joseph has taught us that if you ignore labels attached to people and pre-conceptions of what they can achieve, you enable them to explore their full potential.
"We didn’t know Joseph could complete this challenge as he had never run more than 2k before but by not assuming that he couldn’t, we were able to take it on and hopefully inspire other people, whether they have Special Needs or not, to explore their own capabilities.
"The No Limits message seems to have really resonated with people locally, nationally and even internationally and we are excited to see where it can go from here.”
Debbie Hewitt, chair of the Football Association, said: “It was such a privilege to share in Altrincham FC’s celebrations.
"Joseph is an inspiration to the local community, to all of us in English football, and now to our international colleagues.
"His legacy of providing access to football for everyone - whatever their ability - will make a profoundly positive difference to so many lives. Thank you, Joseph, from all of us in football.”
Throughout the journey, Joseph - an avid supporter of Altrincham FC and Liverpool FC - received video messages of encouragement from the likes of Jill Scott, Steven Gerrard, Jordan Henderson, Steve McManaman, Rory McIlroy, Harry Maguire and Andrei Shevchenko.
He was also invited to meet players from Standard Liège FC, Serie A team Como 1907 and the Luxembourg FA, each of whom presented him with a first-team shirt.
Joseph, who was in special care for three weeks when he was born and didn’t walk until he was nearly three years old, is now a very active sportsman, competing in national swimming championships (coming first in the 25m breaststroke in 2023) and regularly playing rugby, football, tennis, and cricket.
You can still donate to Joseph's campaign via his Go Fund Me page.
