Thank you for making your way to my page, you've come this far so please read the following couple of paragraphs which will hopefully make you want to take the next step and pledge a donation.

My name is Stephen Buckton and I'm proud to be running the London Marathon 2009 for St Ann's Hospice.

Founded nearly forty years ago, St Ann’s Hospice has grown to become the largest hospice in Greater Manchester and a key part of the North West community. A recognised centre of excellence for specialist palliative care for people over the age of eighteen, St Ann’s Hospice helps those people who have progressive and life-threatening illnesses – as well as supporting their carers and families.

Although the majority of patients are admitted with cancer-related illnesses services are also open to patients with non-cancer-related illnesses, such as chronic heart failure, chronic lung disease and neurological diseases such as motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease. 

There is a close liaison and collaboration between hospitals and community palliative care teams, primary healthcare teams and other community health and social services.

With around two thirds of funding coming from donations, fundraising is a key activity at St Ann’s Hospice, which ensures the continued level of service to the Greater Manchester community. It takes over £16,000 in donations, every day, to enable St Ann's to provide the wide range of services. This is received through voluntary contributions, legacies, the hospice lottery, fundraising and trading activities.

You can track how I’m progressing by visiting my training websites below:

The Blog:

http://www.realbuzz.com/blogs/u/stephenbuckton/the-first-rule-of-run-club/

The Road Runs:

http://nikeplus.nike.com/nikeplus/?l=runners,runs,2096969183

(Choose English and then United Kingdom)

Please take a few moments to make a donation.

Many thanks.

                      "The body does not want you to do this.

         As you run, it tells you to stop but the mind must be strong.

                         You always go too far for your body.

                       You must handle the pain with strategy.

                                It is not age; it is not diet.                         

                                  It is the will to succeed"

                      Jacqueline Gareau, 1980 Boston Marathon winner