Vote for Katie's Manchester Marathon charity
Our very own Katie Catherall has set herself a new challenge after signing up for the next Manchester Marathon, on Sunday 16 April 2023.
The determined sports journalist raised hundreds of pounds for the British Heart Foundation, a cause close to her heart, last year when she ran the Great Manchester Run Half Marathon.
Katie, who presents Tameside Radio Sport on Fridays and writes an inspirational 'Women in Sport' column in the Glossop Chronicle and Tameside Reporter, has already started her marathon training in earnest but is now looking for your help to choose a local charity that she can raise money for.
She has narrowed a long list of charities down to a selection of three - which are The Believe and Achieve Trust, Reuben's Retreat and Noah's A.R.T
Find out a bit more about each charity here:
The Believe and Achieve Trust
The Tameside-based charity was founded in 2014 in honour of Alex Williams, who believed passionately in raising awareness of meningitis and, in his short life, achieved so much.
Its main aims are to raise awareness of meningitis; provide monetary or specialist grants for those who have experienced meningitis and thus require support; and support those who wish to succeed in sport through funding, sponsorship or purchase of specialist equipment.
Find out more at www.believeandachieve.org.uk
Katie's comment:
The Believe and Achieve Trust is an amazing charity that ensures sport is accessible for all! They are committed to providing opportunities to young people who would otherwise go without, continuing the legacy of Alex Williams.
Reuben's Retreat
Reuben’s Retreat was founded on 23 August 2012 in memory of 23-month-old Reuben Michael Graham, who died from an aggressive brain tumour whilst on a family holiday.
Alongside its family support services, the charity is currently renovating the former Woods Hospital at Park Crescent in Glossop. The Retreat has become a home-from-home for families of complexly poorly children and those who have lost a child, providing respite breaks and the chance to build happy memories.
More info can be found at https://www.reubensretreat.org/
Hear more from Senior Fundraiser, Stacey Kirkpatrick here:
Katie's comment:
I don't think I'll ever forget seeing the banners in Stalybridge of Reuben's Retreat, shortly after the charity was founded, I was beyond devastated to hear of this truly tragic story. I have met some incredible runners within the local community who have raised for Reuben's and they are wonderfully inspiring.
Noah's A.R.T
The charity was founded in 2015 with a mission to utilise the benefits of the human-animal bond to improve mental health and wellbeing in Greater Manchester.
Founded by Sharon Hall, the charity recently moved to new premises in Hyde and is the leading provider of Animal-Assisted Interventions in the North West.
Visit https://www.noahs-art.co.uk/ to discover more.
Hear more from Noah's A.R.T's founder, Sharon Hall:
Katie's comment:
Mental health is, of course, incredibly important. Noah's A.R.T recognise this and help to bring the love of animals to those who need it most. My dog is absolutely my best friend and it's undoubtable that animals provide tons of joy!
Cast your vote
This vote has now closed.
Voting will close on 30 November and we will announce the winner on 1 December.
In the meantime, you can track Katie's training progress on Strava here and, once a charity has been chosen, look out for a JustGiving page link which we will share so you can support Katie's fundraising efforts.
We would like to take this opportunity to wish Katie all the very best with her training and the marathon itself. We know she will smash it! 💪
