On Sunday, my colleagues, volunteers, and I at Moya Cole Hospice lined the streets of Altrincham to cheer on our more than 30 sensational runners taking part in the Manchester Marathon. It was an early start, making the trip out to the Moya Cole Hospice charity shop in Altrincham where we set up banners and balloons, so our section would stand out just past mile 12.
Participants set off from the starting line near Old Trafford in increments beginning at 9am. At approximately 10.20am, the first runners came through the streets as the crowd began to cheer. It was phenomenal to come together to cheer on some of the world's fittest marathon runners, along with everyday runners who have trained for months, even years, to be able to run the 26.2 miles around Greater Manchester.
The Moya Cole Hospice team provided an assortment of items to make noise with, upping our presence in the process. Some used plastic hand clappers, inflatable cheering sticks, whistles, and I even got my hands on a megaphone for a little while!
Excitement built as we tracked our inspirational Belinda Neild around the marathon track, waiting for her to pass us in her iconic Manchester Bee costume. Belinda has been a supporter of Moya Cole Hospice since her mum died in our care a number of years ago. Since then, she has come up with challenge after challenge, event after event to raise money for the hospice. This year she is hoping to reach a cumulative £50,000 raised for the hospice by her 50th birthday in June. She used the Manchester Marathon as a training session for her upcoming 100-mile Ultramarathon along the Northeastern coast of Britain in July, which will be an ineffable feat.
Moya Cole Hospice is always looking to expand its cheer squad team and we will be cheering on our cyclists in the upcoming Tour de Man on Sunday, May 3 and again during the Great Manchester Run on Sunday, May 31. If you can spare a few hours or want to take part, then call down to our cheer squad and help us cheer on our participants! Find out more information by emailing events@moyacole.org.uk or call the team on 0161 498 3631.
Moya Cole Hospice provides holistic care to patients with life-limiting illnesses - comprising inpatient care, day therapy and supportive outpatient services from its sites at Heald Green, Stockport and Little Hulton, Salford. The teams at the hospice also provide a range of community and outreach services to patients, including care in the place they call home via a Hospice at Home service available in Salford and Trafford, the hospice's Community Specialist Palliative Care Team in Salford, and the homelessness palliative care service in Manchester. A 24-hour telephone advice line is available to patients, carers and healthcare professionals in Salford, Manchester, Trafford and Stockport.
