BUSINESSWOMAN Nicola Spencer knows she won’t be alone when she sets off on a month of running in memory of her mum Anne.
For as well as partner Lee, children Maddie and Rudi and other members of her family, Nicola will also be joined in her 125k challenge by colleagues from city estate agency Spencers and friends both at home and around the world.
That means people from as far afield as the Australian city of Perth, Dubai in the Middle East, Monaco on the Mediterranean and the Scottish capital Edinburgh will be doing their own runs and raising money for our patient care.
And even though the month long challenge doesn’t actually begin until the beginning of February, the international circle of friends have already raised an astonishing £5,000.
“My lovely mum died on December 27 after a very quick return of lymphoma that took her from us within just ten days,” said Nicola, the managing director of Spencers.
“Mum was desperate to get to St Luke’s, which she did, though she died within 24 hours of being there.
“St Luke’s was always close to her heart and we know too many people that have ended their days in their wonderful care.
“I had never been to St Luke’s before but all I can say is that the level of care, even in the short time she was there, was amazing and the feeling was one of calm and peace.
“The only place she wanted to be, apart from home, was at St Luke’s and everybody was so kind to her and to us as a family.
“So that’s why we at Spencers have decided that we will each run 125km in February in aid of St Luke’s.”
Nicola has chosen 125k because that is the round trip distance from her parents’ Sheffield home to Old Trafford in Manchester, where Anne and husband Jim were season ticket holders for their favourite football team, Manchester United.
“We want as many people as possible to join us and attempt to hit their 125km target by running, walking, cycling, horse riding or whichever way they want to complete the distance throughout February,” Nicola said.
“In times when we can’t get out as much as we’d like and we can only exercise once a day, this challenge might help people to get out of the house, feel a bit better about life and support a great charity.”
To find out more about the challenge or to make a donation simply visit: Spencers Challenge