Speedy Mark Appleyard has raised a staggering £1,852.00 for Independent Options after taking on the Great Manchester Run – more than three times that of his original target of £500 after dozens of generous supporters donated to his JustGiving page.
Mark (39), from Woodsmoor, ran the gruelling 10k race in aid of Hazel Grove-based Independent Options, where his daughter, Evie (2), attends the Children and Family Centre. He completed the course in an impressive 1 hour 25 minutes, crossing the finish line hand in hand with his wife, Christine, who had also challenged herself to the run.
Independent Options’ Children and Family Centre provides inclusive play opportunities in a safe and welcoming environment for children with learning disabilities and additional needs. Through its wide range of groups, play sessions and SEN training courses, children can learn and play while parents can access a wide range of information and support.
Evie has global development delay and is currently having tests at Manchester Children’s Hospital to try and get a diagnosis for her specific condition. She also suffers with epilepsy and has had nine severe seizures over the last year and a half which have hospitalised her.
Mark commented: “It was an emotional day for myself and Christine, my wife, who ran the course as well. We’re delighted with our time, particularly as we had a very limited time to train due to Evie being in hospital throughout the run up to the event.
“We have both been overwhelmed by overall total of £1,852, which was far beyond our expectations. We’d like to say a big thank you to everyone who donated, and hope that it will make a real difference for Independent Options and the wonderful services they can provide going forward.”
Fundraising manager at Independent Options, Lucy Sawdon-Molloy, said: “From all of us here at Independent Options, I would like to say a huge thank you to Mark. He has done fantastically well, not only for training and completing the race while Evie is in hospital, but his efforts have gone above and beyond, raising more than three times his original target.”