Irwin Mitchell Sponsors Kirklees Hospice Trail Run
By Suzanne Rutter
A leading law firm is encouraging runners of all ages and abilities to go for gold when taking part in this year’s Kirkwood Hospice Trail Run.
The Kirklees-based hospice will be holding its second event at the Leeds Road Sports Complex in Huddersfield on 1 September 2013 to raise much-needed funds to help it carry out the palliative care it offers adults throughout the region with life-limiting illnesses.
The event has been organised with the help of John Philpott and Tim Cock, both from Huddersfield, who have personal and poignant reasons for getting involved. Irwin Mitchell will be supporting the 10K event by sponsoring the runner’s medals due to be presented to hundreds of fundraisers who successfully cross the finish line.
An Irwin Mitchell team consisting of Ian Bailey, Nicola Handley and Becky Jane will also be running the race or volunteering at the event, with friends and family members also participating.
Nicola Handley, a specialist industrial disease lawyer at Irwin Mitchell’s Leeds office, said: “At Irwin Mitchell, we see the devastating impact that terminal industrial illnesses such as mesothelioma have, not just on the lives of victims, but their families too. We also see first-hand how dedicated hospice staff look after some of our clients and their families, providing them with compassionate and professional care.
“That’s why we are thrilled to support Kirkwood Hospice’s Trail Run and hope as many people as possible are inspired by the fantastic work it does to pull on their running shoes to take part like the Irwin Mitchell team. I’m sure there will be a fantastic atmosphere with runners of all abilities taking part.”
Kirkwood Hospice opened 26 years ago in 1987 and provides palliative care to adults in Kirklees with advanced, progressive illnesses at any time from diagnosis to end of life. Care and support is also provided for their family members, friends and carers, both during the illness and after death.
More than 160 people took part in the event last year raising £4,000. Organisers hope this year’s event will attract around 250 fundraisers to help fund the hospice’s £13,000 a day running costs.
Runners will begin the 10K event at 10.30am from the Leeds Road Sports Complex and will run along a scenic route along the canal, before returning to the club.
Gabrielle Butler, a fundraiser at Kirkwood Hospice, said: “We really do try to go the extra mile for patients and their families and it’s the people, not the illness, who are the centre of everything we do. Every day we help families through what can be one of the most difficult times in their lives.
“We hope to attract at least 250 people to the event and to raise £10,000 to boost our hospice funds. It was John’s idea to start the event last year after the death of his wife Joanne, who died in 2010. He teamed up with Tim, who at 71 is still fit and active and ran 63 races last year.
“They are really inspirational and dedicated fundraisers and with the support from local firms such as Irwin Mitchell, and event sponsors The Woodman Inn and The Pink Link, I’m sure it will be one to remember.