Runner’s tribute to the nurses who help care for mum
AWOMAN from Stockport will take part in the Simplyhealth Great Manchester Run to raise funds for the dementia charity which helps care for her mum.
Nicola Aldcroft will tackle the 10k event in May for Dementia UK, which has provided help and support for her family since her mum was diagnosed with the condition six years ago. The 51-yearold visits her mum three or four times a day to help look after her.
Nicola said: “I wanted to keep her at home and care for her in her own home.
“I visit her in the morning before work to get her breakfast, a lunchtime visit for her lunch and anything else she needs doing and an evening visit at least once or twice to give her tea and settle her down for the evening.”
The training has helped take her mind off things and has given her some breathing space since her mum’s diagnosis.
She said: “Mentally it has given me that break from everything that is going on outside, especially with the way my mum is.
“Sometimes I go to the gym as soon as I’ve seen her in the evening and it does lift me out of myself a bit.
“I chose a running event because it was something a little out of my comfort zone. Really now since I’ve started doing it I’m afraid I have become a bit of a training bore, a running bore.
“My children are sick of me talking about it all the time.”
Nicola said she is especially excited to be taking part in the Great Manchester Run because of exciting atmosphere.
She said: “It’s such a special event in Manchester. It’s the pride and the passion of the people. They come out and they give their support 100 per cent, they’re totally enthusiastic.
“I really can’t wait to be out there with everybody cheering us on.”
An estimated 30,000 people will take part in the 10k or half marathon event on Sunday, May 20.
To join Nicola on the start line, enter now at greatrun.org/Manchester.