Richard Burkinshaw

I'm stepping up to help restore sight!

It’s fair to say that I’m an unlikely runner! 11 years ago, after a lifetime of partying, I found myself in my early 30s with the body of an old man. I got stitch walking, wheezed constantly, and was always out of breath, as my asthmatic lungs struggled to cope with my lifestyle. Not only was I falling apart physically, but mentally I was burnt out too.

I knew I had to make some changes. My turning point came on Bondi beach in Sydney, when our Aussie agent Mike joked that I was one of the most unfit people he’d ever met. After my attempt to disprove him with a beach run failed, he told me about his running journey, mentored me and instilled a belief that small steps were the best way forward.

When I got home, I set a challenge to jog daily with just one rule – no beer or smokes until after. As the Spanish heat beat down on my face, alcohol sweat dripped into my eyes, blurring my vision, and my body felt like it could collapse at any moment. But in time it got easier, and as I pushed my runs further back in the day, I found that my bad habits were slowly being replaced by healthier ones. 

Now over a decade later and those breathless first steps have become over 10,000 miles of running, facilitating a big turnaround in my health. I no longer have asthma and my fitness age is now lower than my real age, which is still crazy to me. My general mood is considerably lifted, and in difficult moments, I know I can just run and reset. It’s the greatest tool in my locker.

I wouldn’t have gone on this journey without the help of our inspirational Aussie agent Mike Toner. After learning that millions live with unnecessary blindness from cataracts disease, he partnered with Fred Hollows, since raising over $2.5m and restoring eyesight at $25 each for over 100k people.

One way they fundraise is Quick As Thieves, a run in Melbourne, and this year I’m excited to be able to run their half marathon on 11^th May! Unlike most who will have a good sleep before, I have a gig on Friday night, then off to Melbourne to the start line for 9am Saturday, then back to the airport to fly to Byron Bay for another show! I’d really appreciate any sponsorship. 

Thanks for reading. :)