York man runs half marathon in memory of granddad (From York Press)

Mike Wright runs half marathon in memory of granddad

1:44pm Thursday 3rd May 2012 in Fundraising fun

A YORK fundraiser is gearing up to take part in his first half-marathon to help fund research into a devastating illness that affected his grandfather.

Mike Wright, of Old Earswick, near Strensall, will comete in the Leeds half-marathon on Sunday, May 13, in support of research into Alzheimer’s disease.

The 24-year-old hopes to raise hundreds of pounds for the Alzheimer’s Society in memory of his grandfather, Fred Hugill, who died from the condition in January 2010, aged 89.

The event – part of the Jane Tomlinson Run For All Series set up in memory of the fundraising heroine – will be the first time Mike will have run a 13.1 mile race.

He said: “I am a keen runner and take part in regular 10k events in the region and have previously supported this cause when I did my first 10k in York back in 2011 in memory of my granddad.

“I feel that with this being the next big step up in my running it felt appropriate to support them again.

“My granddad served in the Army in the Second World War and spent his working life as a farmer until retirement. He lived out his final years in Huntington, York.

“I spent a lot of time with him over the years and was very close to him. Over the last few years of his life he would struggle to remember both past and present events and became a shadow of his former self.

“He wouldn’t remember who his own family were at times too and this was very difficult. It was very sad to see someone so full of life and enthusiasm slip gradually away.

“I am running the half marathon mainly in his memory and it means a lot to me.”

Mike, who works at Ryedale Swimming Pool, has taken part in the Jane Tomlinson York 10k in previous years for the Alzheimer’s Society and said this year he wanted to increase the challenge.

“I have been stepping up my training from what I normally do so I am living in the gym, swimming or out running every morning Monday to Friday for several hours.

“The Alzheimer’s Society do great work for people with Alzheimer’s as well as helping carers and families too. So for that reason and for my granddad I want to try and raise as much money as possible to help such a great cause.

“Hopefully, I can raise awareness of what the charity does through the event and encourage people to support them by making a donation, however small, to Alzheimer’s Society.”

To sponsor Mike, visit justgiving.com/Michael-Wright8