Mick Edge and Carmel Sullivan
A BLACKPOOL runner has ran her thirteenth marathon in aid of a hospital charity.
Carmel Sullivan, 51, ran the Berlin Marathon to raise money for Blue Skies Hospitals Fund’s Heart of Gold Fund, for the Lancashire Cardiac Centre, in memory of her partner Mick Edge’s father George who sadly died in the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (CITU), based at Blackpool Victoria Hospital, in April.
Because of the care George received on the unit, Carmel wants to raise money for the Centre.
She said: “After my partner Mick’s dad George sadly died, I knew straight away that I wanted to give something back for the excellent care he had received.
“I have always wanted to run the Berlin Marathon and thought it was the perfect opportunity to raise money for the unit.”
Mick is also a runner, but due to an injury, he has currently hung up his marathon trainers.
He said: “Everyone on the CITU was fantastic.
“They were all crying when dad passed away. They kept us all informed every step of the way and they tried every avenue to save dad but he sadly passed away on April 3 this year. The team were the Premiership of care.”
Interim Head of Fundraising, Ann Hedley, said last week: “‘I’m always humbled by people who turn their own misfortune into something so positive.
“Obviously Mick and Carmel have suffered a sad loss and yet they have taken the dedication of the staff who looked after George on board and Carmel has decided to take on this challenge.
“We wish her all the luck in the world and want to thank her for thinking of other patients and their families.
“The monies raised will go towards providing additional equipment and services outside of the NHS remit.”
You can still sponsor Carmel by visiting: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/michael-edge1.
The BMW Berlin Marathon was held on September 24.