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Local man running in memory of his beloved Grandma says thank you to Sue Ryder Care

20 September 2008

A Lancashire man, who has never run before, has decided to tackle the Bupa Great North Run in memory of his beloved grandmother Betty Richardson.

On Sunday 5 October, Graeme Inman, 39, from Colne, will take part in the run with other thousands people from throughout the UK, and will be raising vital funds for Sue Ryder Care.
 
Graeme is pulling on his running shoes to raise money for specialist palliative care at Sue Ryder Care’s Manorlands Hospice where his grandmother was cared for and supported to get the very best from her life in the time that she had left.

“Having seen the charity’s work first hand, and the real difference they can make to people’s quality of life, I decided that I wanted to raise money so they can support even more people who need their care.

I am overweight and running has never appealed to me, but I really want to do something special to say thank you to all the staff at Sue Ryder Care Manorlands hospice, who were marvelous in looking after my grandma Betty and all of us. My grandma was a legend for me, up there with Keith Moon, Billy Bremer and Winston Churchill. When I found out that the hospice needs to raise £1million from voluntary donations and fundraising activities to keep on providing its services to the people who need them most, I couldn’t believe it”, Graeme said.

“My grandma was lucky to get a place at Sue Ryder Care Manorlands hospice and it made me wonder how many more people like her would benefit from the care given by the hospice. That’s the reason why I have decided to take on this challenge”, Graeme added.
 
 “At the beginning it was so hard. I remember my first run in February. I could run only a quarter of a mile and I thought I was going to die. It didn’t get any easier for a few months, but one day I did 3 miles and I felt so good about myself. Some friends helped me with some good tips and the training pack from Sue Ryder Care is really handy. I have already lost a good amount of weight and I feel so good that I want to keep on running also after the Great North Run”, Graeme explains.

Graeme is hoping that many other people will decide to run in aid of Sue Ryder Care.

Laura Savory, Events Coordinator at Sue Ryder Care, said: “I am delighted that Graeme is supporting Sue Ryder Care. Sue Ryder Care looks after its runners. Every runner will receive a personalised service from Sue Ryder Care, including support with fundraising and training advice when you need it. With every pace, runners can help us help more people living with conditions including multiple sclerosis, cancer, Parkinson’s disease and stroke. I wish Graeme every success in the run and hope he doesn’t come home with too many blisters!”

Sue Ryder Care supports people to live the lives they want, in the place where they want to live. The charity cares for people in their own homes and communities, in specialist hospices and in neurological care centres.

Find out about joining our running team here.

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