Rugby man who survived terrible injuries after being struck by car set to run 79 miles for animal sanctuary

A Rugby-based life coach and motivational speaker is set to attempt to run 79 miles this Saturday, February 27, after surviving being struck by a car two years ago.

In May 2019 Jean-Pierre ‘JP’ de Villiers was on a 10-day 1,000-mile charity ride from John O’Groats to Lands End, when he was hit by a disqualified driver and suffered two shattered legs, a fractured arm, punctured lung and internal injuries. JP was airlifted to hospital and spent 15 days in intensive care.

Then, 15 months later he took on Mount Kilimanjaro while raising money for the mental health charity MIND.

And this Saturday he is going to take on his next challenge, called Quest 79 where he will run 79 miles, in one 24-hour period.

JP said he loves animals and eats a plant-based diet, and he had been looking for ways to support an animal sanctuary for some time.

He recently joined the team of volunteers at Farm Animal Rescue Sanctuary near Stratford upon Avon, and hopes to use this Saturday's run to raise funds to support the sanctuary.

He said: “After my accident I wanted to do more to spread the message of love and kindness towards animals and I decided to support my local sanctuary which looks after more than

450 farm animals.

"It costs £1,500 per week to keep the sanctuary going.

“I am going to put myself through a lot of suffering and I am going to reach the 79 miles mark.

"Never mind having both of my legs broken. Even before my accident, I have never run such distance in my life. If I can’t run it, I will walk it. If I can’t walk it, I will crawl it.

"But I am going to do it."

Farm Animal Rescue Sanctuary is currently running an appeal that is also being used by JP to encourage public to donate money for his Quest 79 challenge.

This can be found either directly on the Crowdfunder website: www.crowdfunder.co.uk/emergency-covid-19-hay-and-feed-appeal or on the sanctuary's website: www.farmanimalrescuesanctuary.co.uk