Helen battling through asthma for Rainbows

A MATRON from Leicestershire’s Rainbows Hospice is gearing up to run the Great North Run.

Helen Cooper will lace up her trainers in September to take part in the world’s biggest half marathon to raise cash for the hospice.

Used to leading a team of nurses and hospice care assistants from the front, when it comes to running Helen admits she is a complete novice and hopes only to finish in a respectable time.

The 47-year-old said: “I’m asthmatic which is why I have never run before.

“In fact, I’ve never been able to run at all. Not until I signed up to take part in the event and run for Rainbows.

“It’s spurred me into action – and since I have started training I have been able to run my first 5k.

Helen said she is not just motivated to run by the youngsters she helps care for, but also by the many people who donate to the hospice, allowing it to provide vital support 24/7 to families when they need it most.

She joined Rainbows last year and says it is both refreshing and challenging working for an organisation which has to generate its own funding for the services it provides to youngsters with short lives.

“I’d never had that before when I was working within the NHS. The money was always there,” she said.

“Rainbows has to raise around £5 million a year from donations, just to keep its doors open – so I am very aware of the many people and businesses across the East Midlands that support us so magnificently. “How can I not also do my bit?” Her own efforts will be supported by husband, Al, daughter Harriet and her partner, Joe, who have also signed up to run the half marathon for Rainbows.

Helen added: “We’re determined to do our best – and raise as much cash for the hospice as we can.”

And there are still places available for anyone wanting to follow Helen’s lead on the epic road race to raise funds for the Loughborough-based hospice.

For further information on taking part the Great North Run for Team Rainbows call Neil Swift 0800 9521133 or email neil. swift@rainbows.co.uk

For more details about Rainbows hospice or if you would like to donate, visit www.rainbows.co.uk

Matron Helen Cooper from Rainbows Hospice will run the Great North Run in September to raise money for the charity. She is pictured here right with daughter Harriet, who also works at Rainbows