CHARITY FOCUS
Live Ribble Valley takes a look at the many and varied charity projects that are taking place in towns and villages across the region
LANDMARK MARATHON
Avid runners Diane and Nick Armstrong will each be completing their 100th marathon on 18th May, which they have organised in memory of Nick’s mum and fellow marathon runner Valerie Harrold. Valerie was a resident at Leonard Cheshire’s Holehird care home in Windemere and all proceeds from the marathon will be donated to the service. Diane and Nick have mapped out a route, which has been measured and approved by UK Athletics, that will take participants winding through the countryside as they run to and from Bentham Golf Club. Nick, Diane and Valerie all founded the Bentham Beagles running club. Nick and Diane hope to raise £1,350 each to go towards Holehird.
HOSPICE BAGS TOP TITLE
East Lancashire Hospice has been selected as The Mall’s Charity of the Year following a record number of applications. The charity, which has been providing a range of services to people with life limiting illnesses for 35 years, was chosen from a shortlist of three finalists. Its case was presented by Gareth Mayoh, whose wife was cared for by staff at the hospice before she passed away in 2018 aged 39. Gareth told judges how invaluable the support had been and went on to explain that his sons raised more than £21,000 by wearing shorts throughout winter. After hearing how the hospice had helped a family, the decision of the judges was unanimous. Loraine Jones, general manager at The Mall Blackburn, said: “Hearing Gareth’s story brought it home that there are thousands of families going through terribly tough times, and this would be even worse if East Lancashire Hospice wasn’t there to help. It costs £3.7million per year to run, with only around £1.2million coming from grants.”
RAISE MONEY WITH YOUR FEET!
During the coming months staff at The Foot Room are raising money for cancer charities. Foot Room director Jen Royle has been training for her first marathon and will be running the Liverpool Rock and Roll Marathon on 26th May. Her chosen charity is Sarcoma UK and so far, she has raised over £800. On 1st June, Sarah Carroll, director, Alice Marsden, podiatrist and Sue Berry will be opening the The Foot Room, to run a donation clinic. This is to raise money for The Katy Holmes Trust. The minimum price for a traditional podiatry, chiropody treatment, reflexology or foot massage on this day will be £18. There will also be a cake sale and a raffle. In July, Jen Clash, receptionist and Sue Berry, reflexologist, are joining the Sutcliffe Striders to complete a marathon walk for Macmillan Cancer Support. The team have been out training in all weathers and hope to raise more than £7000.
To book an appointment at the charity clinic on 1st June ring 01772 378812
BOOK PROCEEDS TO CHARITY
A writer from Brierfield has published his first novella and is donating all proceeds from the sale of the book to a local charity. Craig Hartley, 44, has self-published his novella A Change of Views on Amazon and is donating the proceeds to Accrington based inclusive dance charity DanceSyndrome. The book is available in both e-book and paperback version. Already an accomplished poet, performer and now a novelist too, Craig has Down’s Syndrome. Proceeds from the sale of the book will be donated to DanceSyndrome, an inclusive arts charity that challenges perceptions of disability, instead focusing on people’s talents and abilities.
If you have any charity news please contact: jan.woolley@live-magazines.co.uk
