Runners raise cash for Trinity '˜angels'

Emotions were running high as thousands of sunbaked runners arrived at the finish line of the Beaverbrooks Blackpool 10km Fun Run.
Friends and family of Clive Austin took part in the Beaverbrooks Blackpool 10km Fun Run with photographs on him pinned to their running t-shirts.Friends and family of Clive Austin took part in the Beaverbrooks Blackpool 10km Fun Run with photographs on him pinned to their running t-shirts.
Friends and family of Clive Austin took part in the Beaverbrooks Blackpool 10km Fun Run with photographs on him pinned to their running t-shirts.

For some, it was the sheer delight at having completed the race along Blackpool’s promenade, and for others it was the result of running in memory of someone close to them.

Among them was Nic Griffiths, who ran the course in memory of her dad, Holder Davis – known as Karl.

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Karl died from bowel cancer, aged 70, in August, and to honour his memory, Nic ran in full pirate attire, complete with a sword and a parrot.

Nic Griffiths ran the Fun Run in memory of her dad, KarlNic Griffiths ran the Fun Run in memory of her dad, Karl
Nic Griffiths ran the Fun Run in memory of her dad, Karl

Nic, 42, said: “Dad was an associate member of the Blackpool Submariners Association, and we had a running joke about pirates and rum so that is why I am dressed as a pirate.

“I have done about four of these fun runs before, but this is the first one since dad died.

“Last year he was going through his treatment and he was there for me. I cried at the start and the finish.”

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Karl, who lived in Blackpool, was given hospice care in his own home through a service run by Trinity Hospice. It meant that he could die at home, surrounded by his loved ones.

Nic said: “We were all so happy with the support we had and that they were there in our hour of need.

“Dad got what he wanted; he got to stay at home. It meant that we were able to look after dad,but also just to be his family.

“They were angels.”

The Beaverbrooks Blackpool 10km Fun Run on Sunday raised £50,000 for Trinity Hospice.

For Clive...

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Clive Austin, from Bispham, was at Trinity Hospice, in Low Moor Road, Bispham, when he died of cancer in January.

Daughter-in-law, Karen Austin said: “While Clive was in there, we decided we were all going to do the fun run because Trinity had been absolutely incredible.

We’ve already raised £1,200 and more is coming in.

“We all ran with pictures of Clive on our back.”