Shaun tackling first marathon for hospice
A MACCLESFIELD man is taking on his first marathon to raise funds for East Cheshire Hospice.
Kind-hearted Shaun Dillnutt, 26, was inspired to help after the charity cared for his grandad during his final months.
Shaun, of Queens Avenue, Macclesfield, will be aiming to tackle the Derry City Walled Marathon in Londonderry, Ireland, at the end of May.
The charity trek will be the first time he has taken on 26.2 miles after completing a number of shorter distance races last year.
He is currently running three or four times a week to make sure he is ready to take on the mammoth challenge and is aiming to make it to the finish line in less than three and a half hours.
Shaun, who works at Bristol Street Ford in Macclesfield as a motor vehicle technician and lives with his girlfriend Lottie, said: “I started running in January last year as something new to do but soon caught the running bug.
“By May I was running in my first proper race, The Great Manchester Run.
“It went so well I felt inspired to step up the training and I completed my second race, the Bollington 10k, in August, the Macclesfield Half Marathon in September and the 10k at Arley Hall the month after.
“Around that time my friend Tony Barclay challenged me to run the Londonderry marathon.
“After accepting the challenge I decided to raise funds for the hospice as it took great care of my grandad Frank in 2004 during his final months. The staff were all so caring and did everything to make sure he was looked after.
“I know how hard they work and that they’re always in need of funds.”
Shaun will be running alongside former Macclesfield resident Tony, who now lives in Ireland.
He said: “Like me, Tony only started running last year. However Tony is partially sighted and runs with the help of a guide. He truly is a great guy and does lots of fundraising.
“We are both looking forward to running our first marathon, with my family and girlfriend and Tony’s wife Emma cheering us on from the sidelines.”
To donate, go to Shaun’s Justgiving page at justgiving.com/ profile/runshaunrun.