The personal trainer has pitched his 7 foot by 7 foot structure outside an Asda store in Stoke-on-Trent and will spend the next week sharing the space with his friend, Carl Heaton.
The fundraiser, known as ‘Living in a Box’, is one of 40 activities Richard will undertake throughout 2013 in a bid to raise £40,000 for the hospice.
Previous challenges have included a sponsored skydive, a live bush-tucker trial and a 24-hour silence.
Speaking to ehospice from inside his plastic box, Richard explained why raising money for the hospice is so important to him:
“Douglas Macmillan cared for my mum before she sadly passed away last November.
“My mum and dad were married for 40 years, Dougie Mac is celebrating its 40 year anniversary and I am going to complete 40 challenges to raise £40,000 for the hospice.
“The idea came about when my mum was still alive and I was talking to her in her bedroom at the hospice. In her last few days I mentioned the Big 40 Challenge and she just raised an eyebrow; that was it, that was the start of it.”
The pair can take just one 15 minute break every four hours and Richard told ehospice he is finding the lack of sleep a challenge:
“As it’s a 24-hour store, people are here at all hours of the night. I have done some really challenging events so far, but mentally this will be the toughest as I am a very active person,” he added. “Hopefully plenty of people will come and show their support.”
Richard told ehospice that he will be completing another one of his challenges while he is still in the box – living with a python for two hours.
“People say I must be mad,” he laughs.
This will take the total number of challenges to 29, with just 11 more to reach his target.
Liz Clarke, head of fundraising at Douglas Macmillan Hospice, said:
“We cannot thank Richard enough for the money he has raised so far, doing some truly extraordinary events; and we wish him luck living in a box for a week.
“All the monies Richard raises will help the hospice continue to care for local people of North Staffordshire facing a life-limiting illness.”
Richard’s challenge will continue throughout Hospice Care Week which is taking place across the country, culminating on Douglas Macmillan’s Bring a Pound Day which takes place on Friday 11 October 2013.
To keep up to date with all of Richard’s ‘Big 40’ challenge, ‘like’ his Facebook page www.facebook.com/4mymum or visit the Douglas Macmillan Hospice website.
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