A Barrow teacher is transforming into the Grinch to raise money for a cancer charity.
The run-up to Christmas is making Neil Irving look increasingly green around the gills – much to the delight of his pupils the town’s Greengate Junior School!
For the third year, Neil is regularly morphing into Dr Seuss’ The Grinch to drop in on Christmas parties and school fairs in return for a donation to Rosemere Cancer Foundation as he builds up to his Grinch-costumed, fundraising Christmas Day half marathon around the town.
The last two Christmases, Neil has supported The Darby Rimmer Motor Neurone Disease Foundation, raising more than £3,000, but this year, the dad-of-four is championing the foundation.
It helps patients undergoing treatment at the cancer unit at Furness General Hospital among other hospital cancer units in South Cumbria and Lancashire, including Rosemere Cancer Centre, the region’s specialist radiotherapy and cancer treatment centre at the Royal Preston Hospital. It is here that Neil’s friend, whose children he also teaches, is currently receiving treatment.
Neil said: “The amazing staff have been just fabulous with my friend and her family this past year or so, which is why all the donations I receive this Christmas are going to Rosemere Cancer Foundation.
“As per usual though, I will be running 13 and a bit miles on Christmas Day fully dressed as The Grinch. I plan to set out from Barrow Park at about 9.45am on a route that will take me up Abbey Road, around Hawcoat and then down Rating Lane heading towards Holbeck. After this, look out for The Grinch running towards Barrow Island before crossing the bridge over to Walney Island before heading home. There are usually a few pit stops along the way to get on board some refreshments!”
Yvonne Stott, community and events fundraiser for Rosemere Cancer Foundation, said: “We are incredibly grateful to Neil for all his efforts in the busy run-up to Christmas and for sacrificing part of his Christmas Day to do this for us.
“If you see him running, please come out and give him a cheer. The Grinch is the character who stole Christmas but then gave it back when he realised it wasn’t really about decorations and presents but about community, kindness and love. What a brilliant lesson Neil is giving the children in his school by embracing Christmas’ true meaning in his own unique and colourful way.”
To sponsor Neil, https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/neil-irving6
