Racing to raise money for charity

Sheffield man Patrick McGuire is set to run the Royal Parks Foundation Half Marathon on October 9 to raise money for Cancer Research UK.

He is hoping to raise £500 and has already raised £253 of that target so far.

Patrick, of Nether Edge, Sheffield, lost his wife to bowel cancer nine years ago.

He said: “My wife Pam visited our GP three times over a period of around 18 months with symptoms including abdominal pains and extreme tiredness.

“Pam was diagnosed with possible irritable bowel syndrome and finally with depression.

“Eventually when she was in severe pain and discomfort we visited A&E, where she was admitted with what at first was suspected to be a severe kidney infection.

“Further tests revealed that in fact, Pam had bowel cancer; a disease that had it been diagnosed earlier could have been treated and she would have stood a very good chance of surviving.”

Patrick has been a supporter of Cancer Research UK for a number of years, however the loss of his wife meant the work that Cancer Research UK do felt more personal and Patrick actively started to volunteer, campaign and fundraise.

To support Patrick visit his fundraising page on Patrick Mcguire JustGiving Page

Another Sheffield man, Max Newton, put his best foot forward for charity by having a tilt at an incredible eight marathons in the space of just 60 hours.

Aged 43, Max took on the 200-mile charity challenge as the Yorkshire Community Fundraiser for the Red Cross.

The ‘Endurothon’, which takes place in Hampshire, started last Friday and finished on Monday.

The participants had to complete 100 miles in the first 24 hours to be able to continue the challenge, and there was a 60 hour time limit for the full 200.

There were several endurance races taking place at the same venue but Max was one of only three runners who dared to sign up for the 200-mile event.

Max, of Woodseats, said: “Once you’ve done a marathon everyone knows you can do it, so I had to find something longer.

“Once I’d done 56 miles the same. Again once I’d ran 100 miles in one go...

“I need to keep going longer in order to keep the jeopardy – the question: will he do it?

“And so, I find myself running 200 miles!”

Anyone wishing to donate can do so by visiting Virgin Money Giving-Max Newton Page or calling 0114 242 7379.

And Sheffield company Boatworld is getting on board with charity fundraising with an explosive event in support of the 2016 Master Cutler’s Challenge.

Guests will be able to try their hand at firing a cannon from Nelson’s celebrated flagship and the oldest serving battleship in the world, HMS Victory.

And for any landlubbers who want to get in on the action, there will also be a chance to fire two different types of musket.

The 1/6th scale cannon will be loaded with a .577” ball and fired at French Flagship Bucentaure – or at least a mock-up of the side of the vessel.

For guests who prefer a more hands-on approach, there will be the chance to fire two historic shotguns, a traditional breech loading musket and a muzzle loaded musket, with the smoke and flame of these historic firearms adding a flourish to the event.

The July 23 event is to be held near Ashbourne in Derbyshire and costs £100 per person with proceeds going to the 2016 Master Cutler’s Challenge, this year supporting St Luke’s Hospice in Sheffield and Rotherham Hospice.

Places are strictly limited. To make a booking email [email protected] or call 07746436625 or 01246 453815.

Over at Stagecoach Yorkshire staff turned their depot into a diner for the day – to host a tea party which raised £240 for Sheffield’s Weston Park Hospital Cancer Charity.

Drivers and engineers enjoyed a cuppa and tucked in to home-made goodies including meat and potato pie, sausage rolls, and chilli pulled pork, as well as sandwiches and cake at the bus company’s Ecclesfield Depot, to support the Time For Tea initiative.

The event was organised by bus driver Kirsty Long and her mother Pauline Goldsborough.

Kirsty said: “I lost my dad to cancer four years ago and an aunt too.”

AROUND THE REGION:

* Animal rescue organisations in Stocksbridge are being urged to nominate themselves to receive financial support from the UK’s number one grant giving animal charity, Support Adoption For Pets.

* The charity, along with store colleagues at the new Stocksbridge Pets at Home store, is calling on local animal charities, rescue centres and welfare organisations to contact them and nominate themselves to join the charity partnership scheme. 
* The scheme offers support from both Support Adoption For Pets and the local Pets at Home store through a range of activities, including the chance to increase awareness and funds via in-store ‘meet and greet’ events.