Friends run marathon in St Helens for Willowbrook Hospice

With the end-of-life hospice close to a lot of people's hearts in St Helens, the 14-strong group set out on the challenge on Sunday, September 4.

As the group contained people with different levels of fitness, each person set their own challenge from 5 and 10km races up to the 26-mile marathon.

Daniel Hodges organised the local fitness challenge, which began at Willowbrook Hospice's Living Well site in Eccleston and finished at the Ruskin Club in Windle.

The 30-year-old organised the challenge with his friends as he prepares to run another marathon for Willowbrook in Berlin later this month.

Daniel making his way around the 26 mile trek

Daniel said: "The day was really great. I had Steve Prescott's brother Neil and one of my good friends Daniel Bibby running the whole marathon with me.

"Then I was joined by other friends for the final 10 and 5k challenges, and although it was a challenge, there was a real team effort from everybody to push through it.

"It was great to race as a community for a charity close to a lot of people's hearts in St Helens, and help Willowbrook continue the good work that they do."

Daniel Bibby, Neil Prescott and Daniel Hodges completed the marathon, starting off at Willowbrook's Living Well site in Eccleston

After struggling with his mental health over the years, Daniel, from Eccleston, has committed to a trio of challenges this year to help people in desperate situations.

Following a charity boxing match for Cancer Research in July and the two marathons for Willowbrook, he will climb Mount Kilimanjaro in October for the Standing Tall Foundation.

After a period of rest and recovery, his focus is now on the Berlin Marathon on Sunday, September 25, to try and raise as much money and awareness of Willowbrook Hospice as possible.

To raise money towards Daniel's fundraisers and Willowbrook Hospice, visit this link.