Father and daughter fundraisers race ahead for hospice

A father and daughter fundraising team from Cleethorpes have donated over £2,500 to St Andrew’s Hospice thanks to two fabulous running efforts.

Carl and Annie Henry put on their running shoes and raised money for St Andrew’s Hospice in two very different athletic events.

A keen runner, Carl completed the endurance of the 26.2-mile Snowdonia Marathon late last year, before daughter Annie, 8, took on a three-mile pyjama run around Cleethorpes Country Park.

Carl completed the marathon challenge in North Wales in under five hours and spoke about the endurance needed for such an event.

He said: “I had completed a marathon before and wanted another challenge, so decided to take on the Snowdonia marathon.

“For 20 miles it is a tough enough marathon, with several hilly climbs, but the last six miles sees runners climb Snowdonia and then come down the other side to the finish line – so it is a real sting in the tail!”

Carl also spoke about his reasons for doing the event and also how his running inspired daughter Annie.

He continued: “St Andrew’s is a local charity that I wanted to support.

“It is a place full of wonderful people who do wonderful things and I just wanted to do my bit.

“Annie got inspired by my running as I got closer to doing the marathon and she set up her own run off her own back and got friends and relatives to rally round and join her or sponsor.”

Looking for a unique way to make her run memorable, Annie donned pyjamas for the race around Cleethorpes Country Park, which took place on Saturday 6 January.

“I was inspired by my daddy who ran a marathon for charity and I decided to do something to help a local charity too,” she said.

“I thought a fun run in fancy dress would be a good way to raise some money and I can get my friends involved too.

“A massive thank you to everyone who came down today to run with me; I completed three miles without stopping, I was so happy to see everyone there.

“Also a massive thank you to everyone who sponsored me and helped me hit my target.

Carl and Annie came to the hospice recently to present their cheques to Theresa Crowe, Charity Fundraising and Events Co-ordinator.

Theresa spoke about how overwhelmed she is by the charity’s supporters and what they do for the hospice.

She said: “The father and daughter fundraiser really touched me because it just shows whatever your age you can do something to support your local charity.

“And you can spend time with your family supporting each other having fun and keeping active too.

“Annie was inspired by her dad and that gave her the idea to do ‘Annie’s Funny Run’.

“Carl and Annie have done amazing and we truly appreciate them thinking of St Andrew’s Hospice.

“They visited us to do a cheque presentation and Annie seemed excited to hear she will receive a special thank you letter and certificate, which she can proudly take to show everybody at school.”

The funds raised by Carl and Annie will go towards the hospice’s current running costs of £4.8-million, the majority of which the organisation has to fund itself.

If you are inspired to fundraise for us, please visit www.standrewshospice.com or call Theresa on 01472 571 266.