A Holmfirth musician and brass band entrepeneur has turned marathon man for charity.
Alex Bray, the founder of the celebrated Brass Factor contest, took on the Disney Dopey Challenge marathon in Orlando, Florida, to prove he is not just a talented cornet player.
And Alex, 24, raised £1,200 for Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice after he completed the 26 mile course in six hours 26 minutes.
It is the latest success for Alex, who has staged his popular brass band event in Holmfirth since 2010.
He said: “To complete the challenge was a great achievement and experience for me and I did it for such a worthwhile and fantastic cause.
“I would like to thank everybody who has sponsored and supported me through it.”
Now he has been hit by the running bug, and plans to take part in the Manchester Marathon Relay on April 19.
This is in addition to planning his fifth annual Brass Factor event later in the year at Holmfirth and Wetherby, where it was held for the first time last year.
At the events, six brass bands from around the country will each play for 20 minutes to win the audiences’ praises at a tough three hour showdown.
Alex, who also has a full time job, said: “I’m looking forward to my next marathon challenge in April.
“My attention is now also going into the planning for Brass Factor 2015 and making sure that in its fifth year, it’s the biggest and best competition yet.
“2014 was fantastic but now we’re aiming even higher, with many exciting events planned in the run up to the contest.
“Just watch this space.”
For more information about Brass Factor, go to www.brassfactor.com .
