This June I will be running 50 miles over the moors and valleys of the Pennines, from Marsden to Ilkley. As one grows older there sadly seem to be more and more charities that you want to support. I'd like to raise money for three from this little running endeavour, so have set up this team to allow donations to be split across the three different causes. Please feel free to choose one close to your heart, or to keep them topped up as evenly as possible.

The Charities

Bristol Children's Hospital Grand Appeal

One link will take you to a page collecting money for Bristol Children's Hospital Grand Appeal. The amazing team here looked after my colleague David's son for over a year after he was born prematurely in 2021. The team have been incredible and deserve all the support you can give to continue with their important work.

Macmillan

Another link will take you to a page collecting money for Macmillan Cancer Support. Watching Macmillan support our dear friend Anna and her family last year before she passed away from lung cancer was humbling. The dignity and support they give is immeasurable. She loved walking in the hills I'll be running through, and would be eternally grateful for your support.

Blood Cancer UK

The other link will take you to a page collecting money for Blood Cancer UK. My wonderful Dad has now been battling with blood cancer for more years than they gave him the right to. Any support you can give, that means future families don't need to have the same battle, would mean the world to us. Oh, and just in case you need a reminder - please give blood too!

Whichever page you choose, thank you a million times for your support, it means a great deal to me, my family and my friends.

The Stanza Stones

The Stanza Stones are the brain child of Poet Laureate, Simon Armitage. Born and raised in Marsden, Simon set out to create 6 poems about the theme of water and its different forms that influences life in the area.

Snow, Rain, Mist, Dew, Puddle and Beck are poems carved into rocks and placed along the route. Participants will visit all stones as well as the historical village of Haworth, famous for the Bronte sisters.

The route was devised as a link between Simon’s home town of Marsden and Ilkley Literature Festival, who commissioned Simon to create the poems in 2010.

All the poems were carved by stone artist Pip Hall and placed in locations selected with the help of landscape architect Tom Lonsdale. The route has become a firm favourite to many walkers and runners over the last 12 years.

The Route

50 miles. 6800ft of ascent. All off road over moor and valley. It'll be fine. 🤣