Brooke’s Army aim to raise plenty of brass
A TEENAGER will lead an army of runners – including a huge brass band – at this year Great Manchester Run to raise money for the children’s hospital that looked after.
Brooke Taylor, 15, has congenital spondylolisthesis, a birth defect which means her spine slips out of place. The teenager, from Lostock in Bolton, underwent corrective surgery three years ago and was told to avoid physical activity until the bone graft had fused.
Brooke took part in last year’s run and is again set to take on the 10k course through Manchester city centre on Sunday, May 28.
She will be joined by mum Melissa and dad Mark as part of a running team of 15. Brooke will also lead a 60-strong brass band. Brooke, who plays the cornet, has brought together brass band players from across the north west to be part of ‘Brooke’s Barmy Army.’
Amongst the runners will be Jim Bruce, the clinical head of Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital (RMCH), who first operated on Brooke when she was a baby after she was born with a rare pelvic tumour.
Brooke’s mum Melissa said: “We’re starting to think ‘what have we done?’ After last year, some friends and family thought this year they could be part of it as well, so Brooke decided to get a team together and everybody agreed.
“She plays in a brass band and the idea formed to have a marching band going round the route.
“It has brought a lot of brass bands together, bands from all over the north west. They’ll be playing a lot of the traditional brass band music but they’re also going to be rehearsing some more modern music to play and entertain people on the day.
“We have taken part before and it’s such an incredible atmosphere. Some of our runners won’t be the fastest, but they are going to have entertainment all the way around.”
Entries for the Simplyhealth Great Manchester Run are still open.
For more information greatrun.org/manchester. visit