St Ann’s Hospice supporter Mitchell Brough is putting his best foot forward as he takes on the virtual London Marathon this October, five years after his very first marathon for the hospice. 

Mitch, who started running for the charity as a way to get fit, signed up to do the Manchester 10k in 2013, and has since taken on a variety of other 10km challenges as well as Tough Mudders, half marathons and marathons. 

He has also raised money for the hospice’s patients by climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, and encouraged people across Greater Manchester to join him for the hospice’s #Sixtyin60 challenge – an idea he came up with to get 60 people to run the Manchester 10km last year in 60 minutes. More than 140 people took part in aid of the hospice, raising thousands for the charity. 

Mitch, 38, from Fallowfield, said: “Being part of Team St Ann’s and supporting the hospice has always been a privilege because of the service they provide. The staff and volunteers work tirelessly to support patients and families through some of their hardest times. 

“This year would have been the 40th anniversary of the London Marathon, and five years since I ran my first marathon.

“In 2015, I signed up to do the Manchester Marathon and was challenged by friends to sign up to the London one too. When the dates were released they were only one week apart. 

“This year I decided to do them both again, but unfortunately due to coronavirus, the London Marathon was postponed to October and is now virtual, so I’ll be running 26.2 miles on October 4 – one week apart from the Manchester Marathon again. 

“This means redoing all the weeks of training, but I’ve never been defeated by a challenge.” 

St Ann’s Hospice cares for thousands of local people every year from its three sites in Heald Green, Little Hulton and Heald Green, as well as via a range of community and outreach services. 

It is one of the oldest and largest hospices outside of London, and will be celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2021.