An alumnus from Leeds Trinity University has been nominated for four awards at the 2020 Yorkshire Choice Awards after raising over £30,000 for Help for Heroes in the last year.

Sport, Health, Exercise and Nutrition alumnus Stephen Bannister, launched the Run for 30 campaign in September 2018, to mark his 30th birthday. Stephen completed endurance events throughout the year, to raise money for British veterans charity Help for Heroes, a charity which supports those wounded in the service of their country. Stephen himself served in HM Armed Forces and the Royal Marines for five years.

As part of the campaign, Stephen took on at least two events a month, whilst running his own business; a private gym in Harrogate which offers premium personal training, fitness classes and gym memberships. Since October 2018, he has taken part in an Ironman triathlon in Sweden, the Great North Run, the Paris Marathon, the Liverpool Marathon and many more fitness challenges including half marathons, triathlons, duathlons and Tough Mudder runs.

Stephen’s 30th and final challenge was the Manchester Half Marathon October 2019, followed by a celebratory black-tie charity dinner at Rudding Park Hotel, which raised over £10,000 on the night, bringing his final total to £35,540.11.

He said: “After leaving the marines I missed the camaraderie, brotherhood and physical training of being a marine. I knew taking on the challenges would be a huge personal sacrifice with family time, but it was one that I was proud and determined to make.”

In recognition of his gruelling challenges and fundraising, Stephen has been nominated for four awards at the 2020 Yorkshire Choice Awards. These include: Local fundraiser of the Year; Sporting Achievement of the Year; The Kate Granger Award for Outstanding Contribution; and Inspirational Individual of the Year, the latter of which he will come up against fellow Leeds Trinity alumna Rachael Campey, who has been nominated for her mental health campaign work.

Brett Arnall, Alumni Relations Officer at Leeds Trinity University, said: “Stephen is one of the most inspirational individuals I have met in my five years working at Leeds Trinity. He has pushed himself to the brink in his commitment to support others, whilst juggling his family life and successful business.

“I have incredible admiration for how he supports others with incredible dedication and selflessness. It is no surprise that he has been nominated for four awards, and I wish him the very best of luck for the evening.”

Stephen is determined to continue his fundraising efforts for Help for Heroes and has rebranded his campaign to ‘Run for Heroes’. In 2020, he hopes to raise a further £40,000 for the charity by completing 12 to 15 endurance challenges, including two Ironman triathlons.

Stephen will find out if he has been voted the winner of the four awards at the Yorkshire Choice Awards on Saturday 14 March at The Centenary Pavilions, Leeds United. To sponsor Stephen’s Run for Heroes campaign, please visit his fundraising page on JustGiving.