‘Hardest Geezer’ is the absolute legend running the entire length of Africa for charity and we have no words
While we're struggling to get out of bed on a Monday morning, this fair-skinned ginger bloke is running across Africa in scorching temperatures and a retro England shirt.
We come across all kinds of incredible human feats and charitable efforts in our line of work, but every now and again someone comes along that truly captures our attention and, in this case, that person is the one they call ‘The Hardest Geezer’: the man who is running the entire length of Africa.
As in all of it…
Real name Russell Cook, or Russ to his mates, this man has earned the title of Worthing’s ‘Hardest Geezer’ after completing numerous incredible and, frankly, insane endurance challenges, including becoming the first person in history to run from London to Asia. A well-earned moniker, we’d say.
Cut to April 22 onwards and his latest effort is Project Africa, inspired by the challenge to cycle 13,000 km across the Eastern seaboard of the continent — an epic journey in itself which takes over 10 months to complete. The only difference is this lad is doing it all on foot. As you do.
Setting himself the incredibly tall order of running the equivalent of 360 marathons in 240 days, Russ is now three weeks into his long-haul trek with well over 150 kilometres already ran.
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His journey will take him through South Africa, Namibia, Angola; the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Cameroon; Nigeria, Benin, Togo; Ghana, Ivory Coast, Guinea; Senegal, Mauritania, Algeria and finally Tunisia where his gargantuan run will finish.
Oh yeah, did we mention that includes part of the Sahara Desert, you know, famously one of the hottest places on Earth? I mean, he’s an experienced ultra-marathon runner but this is just nuts.
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As for what keeps him motivated, it’s a very simple message that we can all learn from: “one day at a time, you’ve just got to keep showing up”, no matter the obstacles.
Blokes running the entire length of Africa in an England retro shirt, feet like Swiss cheese and he's escaping muggings. He's earned the name 'hardest geezer'. https://t.co/4e7DblHlBp
It’s safe to say that beyond all his previous ultra marathon challenges, this is one of the greatest feats of human endurance ever and he’s documenting the whole thing on his socials and on his YouTube channel.
We still get over the fact he’s ginger either — putting that fair skin under the African heat for hours and hours every day is bravery in itself! Thank god for that sun hat.
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Speaking to Sky Sports this week, he explained how part of his inspiration came from “working jobs that [he] really didn’t like and feeling like [he] wasn’t living a meaningful, fulfilling life” and since then he’s had one overarching goal: “get after as much life I can”.
As running the entire length of Africa wasn’t brilliant enough, the thing we love most about this bloke — other than his incredible levels of positivity — is he’s fundraising along the way, raising money not only for The Running Charity which helps the homeless but WaterAid too, which provides clean water and sanitation to areas in need across the globe.
What a guy.
You can get behind him by donating to his Project Africa fundraiser HERE and we’ll leave you with one of our favourite videos he’s posted so far.
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You’re an inspiration to all of us and make us want to wake up and put in the graft, good on ya’.
Featured Image — Russ Cook, a.k.a. ‘Hardest Geezer’ (via Twitter)
News
Manchester Oxford Road station could close for more than two years for a major refurb
Emily Sergeant
One of Manchester’s major central train stations could be set to close to the public for more than two years.
Hundreds of trains pass through Manchester Oxford Road each week, but that could soon be set to change, as Network Rail has today launched a public consultation on plans to carry out major upgrades at the station in a bid to “deliver improvements” for passengers and the wider rail network.
Upgrades include longer platforms, track and signalling improvements, and even the construction of a new station footbridge.
Proposed track layout and signalling improvements would reduce congestion by removing conflicting train movements, while overhead line equipment would also be upgraded, as well as over 900m of new track being laid.
Accessibility would also be improved throughout the station, with the proposed new footbridge increasing movement space for passengers and new lifts allowing step-free access to all platforms.
🛤️Big plans for Oxford Road!
Swipe through to see what’s in store for the future of Manchester’s transport➡️
Wider resurfaced platforms, and improvements to existing lifts are also planned.
Network Rail says the aim of the public consultation is to “give everyone the opportunity to review outline proposals” and to “provide their views” so that these can be taken into account and inform further design.
Feedback is being invited on all scheme elements – such as design, construction, and the impacts of the scheme on the rail network, environment and community.
Manchester Oxford Road station could close for more than two years for a major refurb / Credit: Northern
Speaking on the consultation as it launched today, Councillor Bev Craig, who is the Leader of Manchester City Council, said: “We have said for a long time that Oxford Road Station is in need of a range of improvements from easing the congestion, increasing capacity, improving reliability and ensuring that the station is accessible for all commuters.
“Any future development will be a long-term project but infrastructure upgrades like these are essential if we are to continue growing Manchester as the leading city of the North.”
The first round of consultation will run up until 28 February, both online via the feedback form available at here, as well as at two drop-in events at Friends’ Meeting House, on Mount Street in the city centre, on Saturday 1 February from 11am-4pm, and Monday 17 February from 2pm-7pm.
A second round of consultation is due to take place before the end of 2025, and once both consultations have been considered, Network Rail is looking to submit the applications needed to build the scheme next year.
Featured Image – Network Rail
News
Public urged to use NHS services the ‘normal way’ after busiest winter week for jam-packed hospitals
Emily Sergeant
The public is being urged to use NHS services in ‘normal way’ this winter after hospitals experience their busiest winter week.
New data published by the NHS last week shows that more hospital beds were occupied during the first full week of the year (6-12 January 2025) than at any point so far this winter – with 97,636 adult general and acute hospital beds occupied, which equates to 96%.
In that same week, it was believed that almost one in seven occupied hospital beds (13,585) were taken up by patients who were fit to be discharged.
This meant it was officially the busiest week of the winter season so far for the NHS.
New NHS data reveals that last week saw the highest number of hospital beds occupied so far this winter, with 96% of adult general and acute beds in use.
Flu rates are still 3.5 times higher than last year, with 4,929 patients in hospital with flu on average each day of the week until 12 January, 1,112 patients across the UK were in hospital with COVID, and there was also 650 norovirus patients too, which is up 4% on the previous week and up a whopping 44% on last year.
With the cold weather set to continue and create “enormous pressure” on frontline services, it’s predicted that many hospitals could declare critical incidents.
While the NHS says it did learn from last year, and put in place measures to manage extra demand this time around, including upgraded 24-hour co-ordination centres, support for frequent users of A&E services, strengthening same day emergency care, providing more care in the community, and delivering 29 million vaccines since the autumn, there’s still more that needs to be done.
The public is being urged to use NHS services the ‘normal way’ after its busiest winter week / Credit: Pxhere
Professor Julian Redhead, who is the National Clinical Director for Urgent and Emergency Care at the NHS, said it’s “vital” that the public uses the health service in the “normal way” over the coming months.
“While it is encouraging news that flu cases are no longer increasing, hospitals are not out of the woods yet,” Professor Redhead said.
“Staff are working incredibly hard in sometimes challenging surroundings, but winter viruses are much higher than usual for this time of year, and this coupled with the cold snap and problems discharging patients means hospitals are jam-packed with patients – even as more beds have been opened to manage increased demand.
“With pressures on hospitals still formidable, it’s vital people continue to use NHS services in the normal way.
“[This means] using 111 and 111 online if you need advice and support for health conditions, and only using 999 or attend A&E in life-threatening emergencies.”
Danny Jones -
13th May 2023 
