A property maintenance director and his teenage son are to pound the streets of Manchester for Francis House Children’s Hospice.
John Fleming, from Heaton Mersey, Stockport, and 15-year-old Declan, will be joining thousands of other runners taking part in the Great Manchester 10k Run on May 28.
The pair are hoping to raise £1,000 in sponsorship for Francis House, which provides respite care to children and young people with life-limiting conditions.
Established runner, John, 51, has twice completed the Wilmslow Half Marathon and the Great Manchester 10k Run five times.
John said: “I wanted to get back to running this year and to run with Declan. When I knew he as eligible at 15 to take part I asked him and he said ‘let’s do it’ so we signed up,” John said.
John co-owns Beara Properties in Sale with his brother Eddie Fleming, looking after the maintenance of over 400 residential apartment complexes across the north west, Yorkshire and Staffordshire.
Challenge
Fitness enthusiast John admits his biggest challenge is motivating Manchester Grammar School pupil Declan to join him in the gym where he now trains five to six days a week.
“I’m pushing him as he needs to get going and start building up his stamina and increasing his time. I want us to run and stick together the whole way round,” John said.
“I’m looking forward to the whole occasion of it, and with the new half marathon also taking place, it’s such a big occasion.”
Francis House is the family’s chosen charity as it was close to the hearts of both John’s mother Catherine Fleming and his wife Sophia’s mother, Sophia Flannery.
Family friend Dr John Swarbrick is also one of four doctors that provide cover seven days a week and daily visits to the Didsbury hospice.
John added: “I wanted to run for Francis House because it’s such a worthy and fantastic place and because it’s on our doorstep.
“I don’t think they get enough money and enough credit for what they do.”
- If you are interested in running for the hospice call the fundraising office on 0161 443 2200
- Anyone wishing to support the father and son can do so on their Just Giving page