Taking on the Great Manchester Run for one of our hospice clients
Our client St Ann’s Hospice has some incredible people who fundraise for their charity. I’ve been inspired to take on a challenge to raise money for them, and to raise awareness of their services through the hospice PR we do.
When I signed up to run the Great Manchester Run for the hospice, I certainly was not an avid runner! But seeing some of the people who go to extreme lengths to collect donations for their charity, I am aspiring to do this too.
As with many of the clients I work with, I’ve grown very fond of St Ann’s Hospice. I have been fortunate to speak to people about why it is such an important place in Greater Manchester.
St Ann’s Hospice’s Build It Together campaign
Working with the fundraising and communications teams, I’ve seen first-hand the incredible work that goes on at the charity. So, I want to give back to them by raising money to help the hospice reach its target of £2 million. This is for their Build It Together campaign for a new hospice in Greater Manchester!
St Ann’s Hospice are trying to raise the final £2 million they need for the £21.5 million project. This consists of building a new hospice at their Heald Green site. They are desperately in need of donations so that they can continue to provide excellent care. The hospice has been doing this for over 50 years and hopes to be for the next 50 too.
An inspirational fundraiser – loved nationwide!
Another reason I enjoy hospice PR is the inspirational people I get to meet including hospice supporters.
Over the last six months we have secured nearly 50 pieces of coverage. This is for an incredible supporter, 85 year-old Barbara Thackray. Regularly running 10k races for the hospice, Barbara is a true inspiration.
Barbara’s story has gained regional and national attention, becoming a hero to many by showing that you can start running at any age.
This has led to the world renown sports brand adidas featuring Barbara in their latest international ad campaign. Barbara features along the likes of Liverpool footballer Mo Salah and Egyptian runner Khadija Hegazy, gaining superstar status in her own right.
It was a privilege to accompany Barbara recently to MediaCityUK where she was interviewed on BBC North West Tonight. Barbara spoke about the amazing experience she had at the adidas shoot, her support for St Ann’s Hospice and her love for running!
It was great to go to the BBC studios and to see St Ann’s Hospice getting some brilliant coverage. Supporters like Barbara really show how important hospice’s services are to people in Greater Manchester.
Why is hospice PR so important?
Barbara sums up the significance of hospices and the impact they have on families who need their services:
“Their philosophy is totally different to the hospitals who see death as a failure – you’ve failed if you die. Hospices recognise that death is part of everyone’s experience. Their attitude is that they respect this and do their best to enable the person who is dying to have the best possible experience they can have.
“My sister’s death was much better due to St Ann’s Hospice. They’ll do whatever they can for their patient to have the best quality death they possibly can have – and that’s worth supporting.”
How can you support St Ann’s Hospice
Barbara is an inspiration to many, including myself. I hope to be just as fit as her when I’m 85 years old! As a proud advocate for hospices, I’m grateful to be able to get her media opportunities that raise awareness of the work St Ann’s Hospice do.
I’ll be thinking of Barbara and all the incredible people at St Ann’s Hospice to get me past the finish line at the Great Manchester Run on 21st May!
If you would like to donate to St Ann’s Hospice by sponsoring my 10k run, please see my JustGiving page here.