A convenience store supervisor has a grand reason for supporting Hope House Children’s Hospices.

Daniel McDonald, 30, of Gwersyllt, who works at the Sainsbury’s local store in Mynydd Isa, is aiming to run 1,000 miles this year in an effort to raise an ice bath full of cash for the charity which supports children with life limiting conditions and their families.

Daniel, who runs more than three miles a day, every day, can usually be found pounding the streets of Wrexham with his pet dog Nutmeg as he adds to his daily tally of miles and says he’s determined to get to his 1,000 mile target sooner rather than later.

He said: “I started right after the New Year and have so far clocked up just over 230 miles. So long as I stay fit I should manage it relatively easily.

“Especially as I did the Village Bakery half-marathon last weekend with my fiancée Rebecca Turner who is a staff nurse at the Maelor Hospital. We are actually getting married in June so I might have a few days off from running then.

“It was Rebecca’s first ever half marathon and she did amazingly well beating the target I set her by 13 minutes as we clocked 2:17:39. There was a great team of Hope House runners and plenty of supporters around the course giving out water which was great.

“I’m also trying a triathlon at Chirk, in April, which will be tough but will add some good miles to my overall total.

“Rebecca has been joining me in going out running and our cavalier King Charles and American spaniel cross, Nutmeg, is always happy to jog along with me.”

He added: “I decided to raise money for Hope House Children’s Hospice as it’s such a worthwhile cause. Hope House is our local charity of the year at Sainsbury’s and I know how important a charity it is for people across North Wales.

“I’m not sure how much I will raise but I have set up a Justgiving page and family and friends are pledging donations on that. I’ll also be collecting in the Mynydd Isa store. Our customers are really generous and every little helps.”

Hope House Children’s Hospices area fundraiser Nicola Sciarrillo has thanked Daniel for his 1,000 mile effort and says the charity needs to raise in excess of £6 million a year every year.

She said: “It’s a wonderful effort by Daniel and I’m so pleased to have his invaluable support. Every little helps and the more Daniel we have the easier it is to raise the vital funds we need.

“We support children and their families from across North Wales, Shropshire and Cheshire and sadly we simply don’t have enough funds to support every family that would benefit from our help.”

She added: “It really is fantastic Daniel is supporting Hope House Children’s Hospice and to clock up 1,000 miles in a year is a tough challenge. Daniel will need as much support as possible to get him through this gruelling challenge. You can donate to Daniels epic challenge by visiting www.justgiving.com and search for Daniel McDonald.