Hospice team take on big race
HUNDREDS of runners are set to take part in the Rochdale Half Marathon and 10km on Sunday.
And among them will be quite a few taking part in aid of Springhill Hospice.
Springy the Hospice mascot called into Council headquarters at Number One Riverside last week to meet three of these runners who are taking on this year’s challenge.
Having recently moved to the area for John Rooney, a seasoned half marathon runner, it is a chance to sign up for his first encounter with the Rochdale circuit and he will proudly be running in a Springhill Hospice vest.
John said: “I feel strongly that hospice care is important and I’m pleased to have the opportunity to run to raise money for Springhill which does such a fantastic job here in this borough.
“It is one of the Mayor’s charities and a number of my colleagues have a strong connection with the Hospice, giving their time as volunteers or raising money, and I’m delighted to be able to make a personal contribution to this great cause.”
For Rick Eckersley, one of a six person council team running on the day, it is three years since he’s run a 10K and his entry is part of his own personal fitness campaign having lost 2½ stone since April.
He’s setting himself a target of finishing in under one hour and has been running 5Ks every other day.
Colleague Dilip Mistry however admits that he ‘hasn’t actually started to train yet’ and in this his first attempt at taking on a 10K, he jokingly says he “expects to walk most of the way” and his target is “I just hope to finish!”
They will be joined on the day by a team of 16 runners from Oulder Hill Community School.
Unofficial team captain Sue Farrell said, “We are a group of mixed running abilities and we’re looking forward to getting together and raising as much money as possible for Springhill, which is a local charity close to our hearts.
“We have all been training really hard and are looking forward to a fun day.”
Springhill Hospice is the official charity of the Rochdale Half Marathon/10K/Fun Run and Springy the Hospice mascot will be there to set off the runners.
Hospice community support fundraiser Barbara Lloyd said: “We want to thank each and every person who is taking part to raise money for the Hospice.
“We will be there on Sunday and we hope everyone will come over to see us and say hello. I’m sure there will be a great crowd of people to cheer the runners on.”
For more details and to enter visit rochdale.gov.uk/ run.