A Cumbrian teenager has run 150 miles in memory of her beloved grandad.
Aoife McAlister, aged 14, of Brampton, put her passion for running to the test by completing a 150-mile running challenge in support of Parkinson’s UK.
The youngster has already raised more than £1,300 for the charity in memory of her grandad, Charlie, who lived with Parkinson’s.
Aoife set herself the ambitious goal of running 150 miles in the month of May with her family.
Aoife, who is a keen runner, has taken part in her school’s Mountain Running Club since year seven and has previously completed the Ullswater Way twice and a 30-mile route along Hadrian’s Wall.
Last year, she ran 100 miles for Cancer Research UK and raised more than £1,000.
Aoife said: “I have loved running for a long time and I decided I wanted to do something again for charity, but thought I could go further, so I decided to try and run 150 miles.
“My dad and his friend, John, have been running with me. They helped me plan and run the 47 miles that I ran from Lanercost to Keswick. We also ran from Lanercost to Carlisle, as a training run.
“I have also been doing Cross Country club and Mountain Running club at school to help get my miles. My school has been supportive and has posted about my running to help me raise money.
“The hardest part of the challenge was completing the last 15 miles of the run that I did from Lanercost to Keswick. I had a sore calf and a few blisters.”
Although Aoife was quite young when her grandad Charlie was diagnosed with Parkinson’s, she said she remembers the impact the condition had on her family.
She added that she hopes her fundraising will help improve the future for others affected by the condition.
She said: “I was quite young when Charlie was diagnosed, but I know it took a little while for them to work out what was wrong.
“I hope that it means people can get diagnosed quicker and that treatment options can be improved, and I have enjoyed challenging myself for a good cause.”
Sam Johnston, community fundraiser – North East and Cumbria at Parkinson’s UK, said: “We are so grateful to Aoife, for taking part in this brilliant running challenge and choosing to donate to Parkinson’s UK.
“Parkinson’s is a complex brain condition that gets worse over time. Affecting 166,000 people in the UK, it has more than 40 symptoms, from tremor and pain to anxiety, and there is currently no cure.
“On behalf of everyone at Parkinson’s UK, thank you to Aoife and her family for making such a meaningful difference.”
So far, Aoife has raised over £1,304, surpassing her £500 fundraising goal. To support Aoife and make a donation, visit: www.justgiving.com/page/aoifes150
