Fundraiser from Ashton keeps on running for children's hospital charity

A hot dog, a whoopee cushion, an inflatable dinosaur and a cowboy all have one thing in common - fundraiser Stuart Hall.

While the hardcore runners are checking their fitness trackers for personal bests, Stuart has been donning a series of hilarious costumes to give everyone a smile along the way.

Stuart has been putting the ‘fun’ into fundraising at the Great Manchester Run 10k since 2008 and 2022 will be his 15th year running for Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital Charity. 

Stuart, 51, who works for Whitecroft Lighting in Ashton and is a familiar face around the town and on the running circuit, has shared his story now to raise awareness of the charity’s ‘Be A Good Sport’ campaign, which encourages supporters to do something sporty for their favourite Greater Manchester hospital.

Stuart is supporting the charity's Be A Good Sport campaign

“I just love seeing the kids’ faces light up when I run past,” said Stuart. “I actually used to be in amateur dramatics and each year we’d take our panto to the old children’s hospital at Pendlebury.

“I thought of them being in hospital over Christmas and that’s what gave me the idea for doing the runs in costume. It makes everyone laugh to see someone in a silly costume.

“The only one I haven’t done in costume is 2020 when the event wasn’t on due to all the Covid and lockdown measures,” explained Stuart. 

“I still ran a 10k, but I just did it in normal running gear because not many people were about.”

His vast array of outfits includes a gnome riding a mushroom, Father Christmas and an Oompa Loompa from the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory film.

“When I can, I try to find the costumes second-hand or on eBay,” said Stuart. 

“I never rent them, so I’ve kept all the costumes I’ve run in. All except one - Humphrey Bear - who lives at the children’s hospital.”

Humphrey, the charity’s own friendly green mascot bear, was a particular highlight in Stuart’s running career. Stuart ran the 10k as Humphrey in 2017 to mark 10 years of running for the charity.

Stuart's favourite costume running as Humphrey Bear in 2017

“Running as Humphrey was a real privilege,” said Stuart. “He’s quite bulky so I had a few practices at the Heaton Park Park run. 

“The worst thing is actually the visibility – you can’t really see out of the costume very well, especially as Humphrey has a poorly eye.”

Another firm favourite was when Stuart ran as Father Christmas in 2011. 

“Everyone knows who Father Christmas is so all the kids were recognising him and shouting to me,” he said.

“When I was the gnome sat on a mushroom a parent said ‘look it’s Father Christmas’ and her child was quick to correct her and point out I was actually a gnome. Seeing his smile was one of the things that makes it all worthwhile.”

The costumes are obviously not built for doing a 10k run, so Stuart knows the fundraising is far more important than getting a good time. 

Stuart dressed as a gnome sat on a mushroom for last year's Great Manchester Run 

But even though he considers the uncomfortable dress-ups a small sacrifice to make for the children, there will be one costume he wouldn’t recommend to fellow costume aficionados.

“The inflatable T-Rex was the worst,” said Stuart.

“I never practised running in it which was mistake number one. To anyone thinking of doing a run in costume – if you go with something unusual make sure you get a little half-miler in at the very least and ask yourself if it’s a good idea.

“The problem with the T-Rex is it had a fan to constantly keep it inflated and you only have a very small plastic window to look out of, so that kept steaming up all the time. The 10k that year was on one of the hottest days in May and according to my phone it was 26 degrees outside the costume and 32 degrees inside.”

Stuart is now busy planning his outfit for the 2022 Great Manchester Run, which is on May 22. 

Stuart training in his Royal Manchester Children's Hospital Charity t-shirt

Stuart says he’d like to find something extra special for his 15th run for Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital Charity.

He said: “I’d love a triceratops outfit if I can. I clearly haven’t learned my lesson about dinosaurs!”

He’s also proud to be part of the charity’s Be A Good Sport campaign and says anyone can do something sporty for charity.

“If I had one piece of advice to anyone, it would be to never say never,” said Stuart. 

“I’m in my 50s now so there are people doing the 10k much younger than me, but I just take it at my own pace and enjoy myself.

“When I did my first 10k I never dreamt I’d be where I am now. Now I’m a member of running clubs and I do different running events all over the place. It’s a great way to do something for a worthy cause.”

Stuart showing off all his 10K medals

Be A Good Sport has been launched by Manchester Foundation Trust Charity and encourages supporters to do something active while raising money for their favourite hospital in the Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust family. 

This includes North Manchester General Hospital, Manchester Royal Infirmary, Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester Royal Eye Hospital, St Mary’s Hospital, Manchester University Dental Hospital, Withington Community Hospital, Trafford General Hospital, Altrincham Hospital and, as Stuart has chosen, Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital.

Participants can sign up to a range of sporting events including the Great Manchester Run 10K, the Manchester Marathon and Tour De Manc.

To sponsor Stuart, visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/stuart-hall-manchester10k2022

To find out about signing up to a charity event and the Be A Good Sport campaign, visit www.mftcharity.org.uk 

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