Community spirit shines

In a tangible display of community spirit, local runners came together to support East Cheshire NHS Charity.

The  raising an impressive £2000 at this weekend’s Macclesfield Running Festival.

The event, which saw the charity partner with organisers RunThrough for the second year running, was filled with enthusiasm and determination, and saw runners including staff and former patients lacing up their running shoes to contribute to a cause close to their hearts.

Beginning at Macclesfield Leisure Centre, the festival included 5K, 10K and Half Marathon events with local crowds cheering on runners who made their way through the historic sights of Macclesfield into the scenic countryside of East Cheshire.

Those representing the charity included staff from the Trust’s Finance Team who were dressed as trees, to raise funds to help renovate a much-needed garden space for dementia patients at the hospital.

The costumes displayed over 100 ‘forget me not flowers’ which had been knitted by friends and family and represented remembrance and is long associated with dementia.

Senior Finance Manager for East Cheshire NHS Trust, Bek Jolley, will be one of the team of six taking part, and said: “As we are running to raise money for the dementia garden on Ward 9, we thought garden themed fancy dress would be appropriate and so we are dressing as trees. 

“Funds raised will help with the development of the dementia friendly garden which will provide a therapeutic space and safe social environment for patients.”

“Lily Preston, Fundraising and Events Manager at East Cheshire NHS Charity said, “It was great to see so many people come together on the day to support their local NHS charity. Thank you to everyone who took part and donated”.

The RunThrough team said, “RunThrough are proud to be supporting East Cheshire NHS Charity at this year’s Macclesfield Running Festival. We are aware that running events not only have an incredibly positive impact on the participants themselves, but there is also a far wider impact on local charities when working together to engage and support the local community.”

If you’d like to take part in an event to support your local NHS Charity visit, https://eastcheshirenhscharity.org/events/ or get in touch with the fundraising team on ecn-tr.ecnhscharity@nhs.net