NORTHCARE Charity is giving away free places for this year’s Great Manchester Run to thank local residents who have supported the NHS so much during the coronavirus pandemic.
As the official NHS charity that supports the four main hospitals and community services in Bury, Oldham, Rochdale and Salford, we've decided to waive any entry fees to this year’s event.
We are still asking runners to fundraise, encouraging them to raise a minimum of £150 in sponsorship per place, but this is half the amount some other charities are recommending as part of entry for Great Manchester Run.
Manchester’s iconic event returns to the city’s streets on Sunday 26 September 2021 and standalone entry is currently £42 for the 10K and £49 for the half marathon. Anyone signing up through our website won’t be charged for entry into either race, as long as they agree to try and raise £150.
NorthCare Charity supports the Northern Care Alliance NHS Group (NCA), which runs Salford Royal, The Royal Oldham Hospital, Fairfield General Hospital in Bury and Rochdale Infirmary, as well as community services across the four Greater Manchester areas.
Money raised from sponsorship will go towards those services most in need as the charity funds innovative equipment, education, research and wellbeing activities across the NCA, which employs 20,000 NHS staff and cares for around one million patients every year. However, runners can choose to fundraise for a particular hospital or service if they have a cause close to their heart. Each runner will also receive a free NorthCare Charity t-shirt, or can get a running vest for a suggested donation of £10.
NorthCare Charity fundraising officer Becky Swithenbank said: “After a year like no other, Great Manchester Run is a fantastic event for people to get back into running and give back to those who have cared for us so much over the past 18 months.
“We’ve been overwhelmed by the support and love for our NHS staff from local residents during the coronavirus pandemic, which is why we wanted to make entering Great Manchester Run free for our supporters. However, our fundraising needs never stop, and we need the public’s help as much now as ever before and hope friends, family and colleagues will get behind those who enter and sponsor what they can.
“Join Team NorthCare today and help us continue making a difference across our hospitals and community services in Bury, Oldham, Rochdale and Salford.”
For more information and to join #TeamNorthcare visit www.northcarecharity.org/GMR