'I’ve had some very funny looks' - meet the topless runner who has been running around the streets of Lutterworth

A brave Lutterworth man is running every day in chilly December to back a top charity for homeless people – in just his shorts and trainers.

Hardy Simon Randon-Cooper, 35, admits he’s had “more than a few funny looks” from startled passers-by in the town as he heads out of his front door every morning to rap out his 5km (3.1ml) stint.

And he’s already more than tripled the £400 target he set himself raising vital cash for leading national charity Crisis.

“It might be a touch mad but it’s going unbelievably well.

“I was amazed to smash the £1,000 barrier.

“But I’ve already got it up to £1,273 and we’re still climbing,” said Simon.

“People really are being very generous.

“I am so grateful to everyone who’s got behind me.

“Crisis is an absolutely vital cause – they do so much incredibly good work.

“Christmas is all about being at home with your family,” said Simon, a project manager for a Leicester-based web development company.

“So I think we all feel particularly strongly for homeless people at this time of year.

“The Government and councils did ever so well putting a roof over their heads earlier this year when the pandemic broke out.

“But we need to find a permanent solution to this crisis.

“You see people living rough in Leicester and it’s an obvious problem in our big cities.

“So I decided to set myself a hard challenge this month and I’ve called it ‘Decembrrr’.

“Wearing just a pair of shorts and shoes – not even gloves or a hat - is clearly very different to hitting the streets clad in my usual running kit!

“I’ve had some very funny looks from bemused passers-by and maybe a few shouts as well – but I’ve got my headphones on so I can’t hear them,” smiled Simon, whose wife Kate is a local teacher.

“I head out early on a morning and I’ve mapped out a good route so I’m never too far away from home in case I need to get back quickly.

“The weather’s not been too bad so far – although we’ve had one or two freezing, foggy starts.

“I was a bit nervous about taking this on in the first place and looking an absolute fool.

“And getting out of the door into the cold is the hardest bit.

“But once I’m out and into my stride I get warmed up before shooting home for a lovely peppermint tea, a lukewarm shower and a big steaming mug of coffee.

“I’d just like to thank everyone once again for backing me and helping to support Crisis, a brilliant charity helping people who need us 100 per cent.”

If you would like to pour a few more pennies into super Simon’s virtual collecting tin, please visit his fundraising website here: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/decembrrr