STAFF and residents at Cheshire Grange in Lymm are getting ready to cheer because in a couple of weeks a brave member of their team will be taking on the gruelling Great North Run to raise money for Barchester’s Charitable Foundation.

The foundation supports older people and other adults living with a disability or mental health problems by helping them to connect or re-connect with others in their local communities.

On Sunday, September 8, divisional sales & marketing manager, Amy Melia, will lace up her trainers and use sheer grit and determination to complete the 13.1 mile half marathon course.

The race starts in Newcastle upon Tyne and takes thousands of runners over the iconic Tyne Bridge finishing up in South Shields.

Amy will be running in order to raise funds for Barchester’s Charitable Foundation which helps combat loneliness and isolation.

Amy has worked for Barchester Healthcare for more than five years and absolutely loves her job. No stranger to a fundraising challenge, when she knew she had secured a place in the Great North Run, she knew she needed to get serious! Amy immediately embarked on a strict 20 week training regime with a personal trainer.

She has been weight lifting, hill running and interval training, running different distances at different paces, all to ensure she makes it over the finish line and raises as much money as she possibly can.

Amy said: “This is my first time doing the Great North Run and I’m really excited to take part.

"I have been running on and off for years and I absolutely love it, but this is definitely the longest distance I have ever taken on. I’m hoping to raise lots of money for the Foundation.

"I know all the staff, residents and relatives at Cheshire Grange plus my family and friends are behind me and their support plus the money I’m raising will help me go the distance!”

If you would like to support Amy, please visit ajbellgreatnorthrun2024.enthuse.com/pf/amy-melia.

All donations will be gratefully received.