A 77 year old pensioner completed a one mile fun run in aid of a hospice – wearing a surgical boot.
Battling Margaret Brewer, from Llanfairfechan, put her best foot forward along with other energetic tenants and staff from housing association Cartrefi Conwy.
Together they raised £650 for St David’s Hospice, in Llandudno, as a result of the fun run which was sponsored by Cartrefi Conwy and took place on the same day as the Conwy Half Marathon.
Hospice community fundraiser Agnes Jones dropped into Cartrefi Conwy’s Maes Cwstennin sheltered accommodation at Llandudno Junction to collect the cheque.
Among those at the presentation was tenant Margaret, from Bryn Castell, in Llanfairfechan, who took on the fun run challenge despite having to wear a surgical boot following an operation to straighten a bone in her foot.
She said: “I didn’t actually run it but I did walk the whole way. I had to take my time but managed it with the help of others. It was actually quite good fun.
“I thought raising funds for St David’s Hospice was an important thing to do and I am, glad I took part. I personally raised £114 so I’m very pleased.”
Agnes Jones paid tribute to Margaret and the others who raised much-needed money for the hospice.
She said: “I’m delighted with the effort put in by Cartrefi Conwy tenants and staff.
“To raise as much as they have is fantastic and every penny will help us keep our doors open and allow us to continue caring for people with life-limiting conditions.”
A number of runners did the run wearing fancy dress, including Nerys Veldhuizen, Older Persons Co-ordinator for Cartrefi Conwy, who was dressed as a banana for occasion.
She said: “The Fun Run is part of what we do to encourage our tenants to be healthy and active.
“As a reward for being the sheltered housing scheme that collected the most money for St David’s Hospice, Margaret and her fellow tenants at Bryn Castell are being rewarded with a slap-up Spring buffet lunch courtesy of Cartrefi Conwy.
“The health and well-being of our tenants is one of the themes of my role as Older Persons Co-ordinator.
“I’m also involved in supporting older people to identify and enhance their skills and highlight the importance of how getting involved helps shape our policies and how Cartrefi Conwy operates.”
Chris Bradley, the Independent Living Coordinator for Parkway, in Rhos-on-Sea completed the fun run with the help of Hamish, her three-year-old Rottweiler, Staffordshire terrier cross, and said: “We had a really good day and everyone who took part enjoyed the event.
“We were all pleased to raise so much for St David’s Hospice and I am sure we can do even better this year.”
Tenant Elaine Davies, 55, from Parkway, ran across the finishing line but says she might have walked a bit in the middle.
She said: “It was great fun and I raised almost £50 which I was pleased with. We had a lot of encouragement and encouraged each other. There was a real sense of community which I thought was brilliant.”
