Two residents from Poynton are running for The Christie in the London Marathon

Two runners from Poynton will be running in the iconic London Marathon on 3 October 2021 for Manchester’s much loved internationally acclaimed cancer centre, The Christie.

Helen Fotheringham and George Summerville live round the corner from each other, less than 2 minutes apart. They will be two of the 27 runners taking part in the London Marathon this year for The Christie charity.

The Christie charity supports the work of The Christie NHS Foundation Trust providing enhanced services over and above what the NHS funds. This includes money for care and treatment, research, education and extra patient services. Gifts from the public make a huge difference to the care and treatment that The Christie is able to provide to patients and their families.

Helen is running in memory of a close friend, Paula, who sadly died last year, Paula had been treated at The Christie.

Quotes from Helen:

“I was completely devastated to lose my best friend Paula, last May. To lose a friend of over 30 years, so suddenly and in such strange and frightening times, has been life changing for me. 

“Anyone who had the pleasure of enjoying time in Paula’s company will appreciate what an absolute legend she was. Her infectious personality will stay with us, in our hearts, forever.  She always showed such determination, bravery and strength throughout her life and this is something that I would like to offer back to her. I would like to show her 3 young children just how much she means to everyone who knew her. 

“The time she spent receiving treatment at The Christie gave her the opportunity to live her life to the full for the following 3 years. This time is now completely priceless for those who loved her. So, it is with the greatest of pride that I take on this challenge in loving memory of Paula.

“As a keen runner, it has been an ambition of mine to run the London Marathon!  I’ve completed several half marathons but never gone any further than that.  Now I have been given the most amazing opportunity to run for The Christie and Paula.”

George is an employee at the global pharmaceutical firm AstraZeneca and all the donations he receives for taking part in the London Marathon will be matched by AstraZeneca to double the impact of his fundraising.

Quotes from George:

“On 3 October 2021, I will be running the London Marathon - 26.2 miles, raising money for the amazing Christie charity. The courageous staff at The Christie work tirelessly to provide outstanding cancer treatment for over 60,000 patients a year.

“Running the marathon is my way to thank all those involved in providing care at The Christie and to tell them how much I care.”

Josh Hughff, Sporting Event’s Officer at The Christie charity said: “We are thrilled to have George and Helen both signed up as part of 27 other Team Christie for the London Marathon this autumn. It’s incredible that they literally live two minutes from each other in Poynton. Like all our runners, we wish them the best of luck in the event and with their fundraising. The money they raise will make a big difference to the care and treatment patients at The Christie receive.

To sponsor Helen please visit:

www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Helen-Fotheringham

 To sponsor George please visit 

www.justgiving.com/fundraising/GeorgeSummerville.

To sign up for the virtual London Marathon in 2021 or to be part of Team Christie at the London Marathon in 2022 please visit:

www.christies.org/londonmarathon.

The Christie NHS Foundation Trust was the first specialist trust to be rated as ‘Outstanding’ twice (in 2016 and 2018) by the health regulator the Care Quality Commission (CQC). It referred to The Christie as ‘a leader in cancer care’ and ‘a pioneer in developing innovative solutions to cancer care.’ The CQC praised the Trust’s staff which it said ‘go the extra mile to meet the needs of patients and their families’ and that they were ‘exceptionally kind and caring.’ In 2017, the CQC rated The Christie as the best specialist trust in the country, and one of the top three trusts overall in England.