A mum from Chester will run the Chester Half Marathon to raise funds for Alder Hey hospital, inspired by a city toddler battling cancer.
Accountant Sarah Connolly, of Vicars Cross, will run the 13.1 mile course for three-year-old Erin Cross, who is fighting acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.
Sarah, whose son Liam is also three-years-old, was part of the fundraising team for Waverton toddler Anya Bentham, which won a Chronicle Your Champions award last year.
Sarah said: “By running for Alder Hey Hospital, I can support both Erin and Anya as well as thousands of other children. I ran the Great Manchester 10k in 2013 for Anya so the half marathon, on Sunday, May 18, is a big step up!
“Alder Hey helps children in many different situations, but I chose to fundraise in Erin’s name because she and her family also arrange treats for other brave children to help them cope with their daily battles. These treats allow Erin’s friends to have fun with lower health risks as treatment leaves them immuno-suppressed.”
Sarah has power-walked other challenges with her mum Jayne Lewis, who works at Airbus, but hopes to run the Chester half.
She said: “I have done the Playtex Moonwalk marathon in London, the Berlin marathon, the Sunwalk half marathon in Bristol, a Moonlit half marathon for the Countess of Chester hospital and other walks including for the Hospice of the Good Shepherd.
“I'm not a natural runner but want to finish the Chester half in two hours and training is going well.
“Power walking seems easier but takes a lot longer. Mum and I did the Berlin marathon in 5h 58m which is pretty good!
“Our best half marathon time was 2h 56 so I'll have to knock an hour off that time in May. My mum can't run with me this time but my family will be at the finish waiting for me.”
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