海角直播

Uni charity runners hit the Big Apple

A trio of fundraisers from 海角直播 is heading to America to run the New York Marathon to raise hospice funds.

Helen Pritchard will run in aid of 海角直播 Hospice in Middlesbrough, while Caroline Laverick and Diana Lesnic will raise funds for Stockton鈥檚 Butterwick Hospice. The marathon takes place on November 1. Helen, Accommodation Assistant in Student Services, decided to take part to celebrate a birthday milestone after turning 30 on 4 September.

She said: 'I raised 拢500 for the hospice last year doing the Edinburgh Marathon, so if I can raise around that amount again I鈥檒l be really pleased. I chose the hospice as it is a local charity.'

She caught the running bug from her dad David Pritchard, a former principal lecturer in the University鈥檚 School of Science & Technology.

Helen said: 'I used to go out running with him until he stopped due to ill health and I鈥檓 now a member of Billingham Marsh House Harriers. I just put on my ipod and set off running.'

Preparing to tackle their first marathon are Caroline and Diana, both from the University鈥檚 School of Computing.

They鈥檒l be running in memory of friend Judy Griffiths, of Norton, who tragically lost her battle with bowel cancer. Judy was diagnosed while pregnant with son Samuel but sadly died five months after giving birth.

Caroline, 42, Senior School Administrator, said: 'Judy鈥檚 husband Martin has been raising money for the hospice and we are hoping to boost those funds.

'It鈥檚 the first time we have attempted a marathon and we鈥檝e been getting stuck into our training plan. We鈥檙e really pleased to be able to take part, as the runners are chosen by lottery with just a small percentage of non-Americans.'

Diana, 29, who is originally from Russia and has worked at the University for six years, said, 'We have both been running for a few years and have previously completed the Great North Run, but this marathon is something which we had both always wanted to do.'

She added, 'I鈥檓 really looking forward to the marathon route, as it takes the runners away from some of the more well-known tourist places. We鈥檙e expecting the atmosphere to be great and we鈥檙e really looking forward to the challenge ahead.'

Anyone who would like to sponsor Helen can email h.pritchard@tees.ac.uk while Caroline and Diana can be sponsored at .

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