Sunderland man who beat Covid twice breaks his own Guinness World Record by 90 seconds

Lee Williamson from Penshaw broke his own Guinness World Record today – Saturday, May 1 – at Silksworth Sports Complex Track by a minute-and-a-half after completing the half marathon challenge in his wheelchair.

Fifty-year-old Lee has broken the record as part of a series of challenges to raise money for four different charities.

He has now completed one of six challenges to raise as much money as possible for Macmillan Cancer Support, The Stroke Association, MIND, and the Make A Wish Foundation.

A former professional chef, Lee once worked for The Great British Bake Off judge Prue Leith, until epilepsy ended his aspirations.

He then had a stroke 14 years ago which resulted in him losing all movement down his right side.

Lee told the Echo: “I’m really pleased with myself for breaking the record and it was great having friends and family cheering me on.

"I was a little disappointed that I didn’t beat my time by more than one minute and a half but I did made a few schoolboy errors.

"I’m still really glad I beat the record and I’ve chosen four charities with different reasons behind it so I want to raise as much money as possible.”

Lee was one of the first people diagnosed with Covid-19 in the North East in March 2020 and contracted it again in January this year. He was admitted to Sunderland Royal Hospital both times.

He added: “It was a very frightening experience, but I’m determined and have bounced back and have taken medical advice that my training helped me overcome Covid and will help with continued rehabilitation following persistent long Covid symptoms.

"Having Covid twice didn’t help with my chest but it hasn’t stopped me completing my challenges and I’m determined to finish the next five.

"Everyone has been supporting me and I’m a little apprehensive about my marathon next month but I will take each one as it comes.”

You can follow Lee’s journey and donate to him by visiting his fundraising page by clicking here.

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