Charity runners to complete Yorkshire alternative to famous marathon

Charity runners to complete Yorkshire alternative to famous marathon

A GROUP of charity runners will take part in a Yorkshire alternative to the New York Marathon this December, following the cancellation of the world famous event due to Hurricane Sandy early this month.

A group of runners from the Harrogate area will complete their own take on the world famous race on December 2, by running from New York Village, near Summerbridge, to Saint Michael’s Hospice in Harrogate.

The group of eight are determined to complete this alternative to the New York Marathon to fulfil their promise to the many people who sponsored them more than £30,000 to help local people live with terminal illness and bereavement.

Runner Patrick Dunlop said: “We completely understand why the New York Marathon was unable to take place in 2012 and thoughts are with everyone who has been affected.

“However completing this alternative challenge is important to us because it gives us the opportunity to fulfil our promise to the many people across the Harrogate district to sponsored us to finish the race, thus enabling the money we have raised to be put to good use supporting patient care at Saint Michael’s.

“This is how the idea of an alternative was born- and with New York in our patch the idea came together quickly.”
People seeking to support the team can do so with refreshments at different posts along the route.
Local businesses and individuals are also encouraged to sponsor the team, or sponsor the mile markers along the route.
Donations can also be made through Justgiving or via mobile phone by texting 'NYNY12' and the amount to 70070.


NOTE TO EDITORS:
Saint Michael’s welcomes all enquiries. For further information or to arrange photographs or video footage, please contact the Communications Department on info@saintmichaelshospice.org or by ringing (01423) 856 793.
Saint Michael’s believes everyone in the Harrogate District should be offered the choice of the best possible end of life care regardless of their diagnosis or place of care.

We are the only organisation in the district dedicated to ensuring local people get the end of life care they need and deserve.
We are doing this by:

1. Continuing to improve and expand the Inpatient and Outpatient services available from our Hospice, at Hornbeam Park.
2. Working in collaboration with our colleagues in the NHS to assist people who choose to live at home at the end of their life.
3. Setting up and running the area’s first comprehensive bereavement support service.
4. Playing a leading role in the development of a palliative care strategy for the local area.
5. Identifying and sharing excellent clinical palliative care practice through the development of an education programme for health professionals.
6. Acting as a voice for the views and concerns of the people who use these services.

We place great value on dignity, respect, compassion and empowerment.

We receive a £660,000 grant from the NHS towards the £3.8million needed to maintain our current range of services.
This means the majority of our costs must be funded through the local community and our own fundraising initiatives. More information about Saint Michael's can be found at http://saintmichaelshospice.org