Miles, Motivation, and Meaning: How a law student is making a difference through fitness challenges

Andy, a law student at the University of Leeds, shares how his fitness transformation led to ultramarathons and charity work, inspiring others to participate in the School of Law’s Charity Bike Ride.

For Andy Tweedie, a fourth-year Law student at the University of Leeds, fitness and charity fundraising go hand in hand.

Andy’s involvement with sport and fitness has been a constant in his life. However, during his second year, he found himself struggling to complete a 5k run due to a personal shift in priorities that focused more on weightlifting and his social life.

While Andy recognises that these are common phases in life and that he thoroughly enjoyed this period despite its effects on his fitness, he also became aware of the toll it took on his physical and mental health. Determined to make a change, he decided to refocus his mindset.

Inspired by David Goggins’ book Can't Hurt Me, Andy embarked on a renewed fitness journey that led to extraordinary accomplishments. Reflecting on the turning point, he shares: “Reading that book changed my perspective on life.”

Seven months later, he celebrated his birthday in a remarkable way: by running an astonishing 70 miles.

However, Andy acknowledges that change does not happen overnight. At the beginning of his training, anxieties prevented him from running outdoors, so he chose to train on a treadmill instead. Despite these early challenges, encouragement from friends pushed him out of his comfort zone and helped him break through his mental barriers.

A passion for charity

Andy’s growing passion for endurance challenges soon became a driving force for community impact. During his placement year, he participated in multiple ultramarathons, including the Yorkshire Dales Way Ultramarathon. He also ran the Yorkshire Three Peaks twice back-to-back to raise funds for Little Hiccups, a Leeds-based charity supporting families with children with additional needs and disabilities.

“Meeting Lindsay, the founder, and seeing the charity’s impact on families’ lives was inspiring,” Andy said. “I’ve been proud to support them ever since.”

Although he fell short of completing one ultramarathon due to trench foot, Andy remained positive: “It’s about raising awareness and making a difference, not just crossing the finish line,” he explained.

The next challenge: School of Law’s Sponsored Bike Ride

This November, Andy is taking on a new challenge: the School of Law’s Sponsored Bike Ride, part of the University’s 125^th anniversary celebrations. The event invites all School of Law students and staff to cycle, either on stationary bikes at the Liberty Building or during personal commutes, to raise funds for four charities, including Little Hiccups. The other three charities supported through this event are Many Tears Animal Rescue , PAFRAS (Positive Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers) and Child Bereavement UK.

“My goal is to spread awareness about these incredible causes,” Andy explained. “The charities we’re supporting do so much for their communities, and even small contributions can make a big difference.”

Participants can join in three ways:

1. Cycle at the Liberty Building for as little as 15 minutes.
2. Log personal miles on the dedicated Strava group.
3. Volunteer to promote the event through photos, videos, and more.

If you want to sign up to cycle or volunteer please click here.

Call to action

Andy hopes to inspire others to take part. “Everyone is capable of sparing 15 minutes to cycle or getting a £5 donation,” he said. “Why not make a positive impact? You might surprise yourself with what you can achieve.”

Join the School of Law between 25 and 29 November to celebrate its rich history and support meaningful causes.