Dad runs 10k in honour of sons
A PE teacher will be supported by more than 30 colleagues as he takes part in the Great Manchester Run in memory of his baby son who tragically died.
Andy Richardson, 39, a PE teacher at William Hulme’s Grammar School in Whalley Range, is running in this month’s race to raise money for the hospital that treated one of his twin boys, only one of whom survived.
Pregnancy complications saw his son Teddy live just a few hours before passing away while his twin brother, Henry, suffered major bleeds on the brain.
This had a ‘catastrophic’ effect on Henry, who turns two in July, who had a condition called hydrocephalus, a build-up of fluid on the brain. As a result he is now partially sighted and has quadriplegic cerebral palsy.
Andy, who lives in Stockport, will be taking on the Great Manchester Run to raise cash for the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital which treated him.
And he has recruited 32 of his colleagues to line-up alongside him. They will go up against a number of other companies in the Business Challenge at Europe’s biggest 10k which snakes through Manchester city centre on Sunday, May 28.
Andy said: “Henry has had several stays and brain operations at the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, but he is doing very well despite all his medical needs. He is a really happy, laid-back little boy.”
This is the first time that William Hulme’s has entered a team into the Great Manchester Run business challenge, and they are hoping to raise £2,500.
Andy said: “As well as the fantastic care that the hospital has shown Henry, it’s also the school’s local hospital. Whenever a student is taken to hospital they tend to go to the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital. So it’s a great charity for us to support.
“There are some members of staff who are just hoping to get around in a reasonable time, but we also have a few very competitive members of staff who will be hoping to get a personal best, and even some friendly rivals hoping to out-run one another.”
Lucy Naylor, events manager at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital Charity, said: “It’s really inspiring that Andy is so dedicated to giving back to the hospital, after everything his family has been through. The money raised by Andy and his colleagues will be well spent in continuing to provide the very best environment for young poorly patients.”
To enter, visit greatrun.org/ Manchester and to donate to Andy and his team visit virginmoneygiving.com/ WilliamHulmes