“If you ignore labels, anyone can reach their potential” The incredible young man who raised £320,000 for charity

21-year-old Joseph Adams, a young man with Down Syndrome, completed 10 gruelling 10ks in 10 different countries across Europe, raising over £320k for the Altrincham FC Foundation.

Over the course of six intense days, Joseph completed the challenge of running 10x10ks, finishing his remarkable journey in his hometown of Altrincham on Sunday, September 1st at the Alti 10k.

Joseph Adams

Joseph started his challenge on Tuesday 27 August, in Amsterdam. The mammoth journey took him through Liege, Luxembourg City, Heidelberg, Bregenz, Zurich, Como, Monaco, and Nice before returning to Altrincham for the final leg.

Running two 10ks each day, Joseph dealt with intense temperatures.

Despite this, Joseph’s first and last 10ks, completed in Amsterdam and Altrincham, took just over 1 hour and 20 minutes each.

The whole challenge saw Joseph running for a total of more than 20 hours.

Altrincham FC Foundation

To date, Joseph has raised over £320k for the Altrincham FC Foundation to fund a disability sports programme.

The local business community has rallied to support Joseph’s cause with recognised brands including AO, Castore, Travel Counsellors, Houlihan Lokey, DMR and Mission to Mars backing the challenge.

Due to the success of the fundraising, which started with an initial target of £100k and has now been increased to £500k, the Foundation intends to expand its plans to spread the ‘No Limits’ message, providing more opportunities for individuals with special needs to receive much-needed training and employment opportunities.

Joesph was joined on his challenge with his family, his sisters Megan, Eleanor, and Grace; his parents Julie and Phil; and first aider and family friend Jo Racle.

Reflecting on the challenge, Joseph said: “I was so happy to finish and see all of my friends in the crowd. I really struggled with the heat but with the help of extra malt loaf and 80s rock music, I was able to make it.

“My favourite songs were The Final Countdown, Livin’ on a Prayer and Don’t Stop Believing.”

 ‘No Limits’

Joseph’s challenge has been called ‘No Limits’ because, as dad Phil said: “Joseph has taught us that if you ignore labels attached to people and pre-conceptions of what they can achieve, you enable them to explore their full potential.

“We didn’t know Joseph could complete this challenge as he had never run more than 2k before but by not assuming that he couldn’t, we were able to take it on and hopefully inspire other people, whether they have Special Needs or not, to explore their own capabilities.

The No Limits message seems to have really resonated with people locally, nationally and even internationally and we are excited to see where it can go from here.”

Debbie Hewitt, the Chair of the FA

Debbie Hewitt, the Chair of the FA commented: “It was such a privilege to share in Altrincham FC’s celebrations on Sunday. Joseph is an inspiration to the local community, to all of us in English football, and now to our international colleagues.

His legacy of providing access to football for everyone – whatever their ability – will make a profoundly positive difference to so many lives. Thank you, Joseph, from all of us in football.”

Throughout the journey, Joseph, an avid supporter of Altrincham FC, Liverpool FC, and the England national team, received video messages of encouragement from prominent sports figures including Jill Scott, Steven Gerrard, Jordan Henderson, Steve McManaman, Rory McIlroy, Harry Maguire, and Andrei Shevchenko.

These messages provided a significant morale boost for Joseph.

He was invited to meet players from Standard Liège FC, Serie A team Como 1907, and the Luxembourg FA, each of whom presented him with a first-team shirt.

Joseph, who was in special care for three weeks when he was born and didn’t walk until he was nearly three years old, is now a very active sportsman, competing in national swimming championships (coming first in the 25m breaststroke in 2023) and regularly playing rugby, football, tennis, and cricket.

To donate visit his Go Fund Me page or find out more about Joseph’s story on the Instagram