Grace in run for charity close to her heart
But the 29-year-old Co Cork woman takes to a new, but unfamiliar, stage shortly to aid a charity close to her and her family’s heart.
Grace will be joined by two Welsh-born twins in running the BUPA Great Manchester 10k Run to raise money for Cork’s Cope Foundation.
From a family-of-four, Grace’s eldest sister, Fiona, 37, has severe cerebral palsy. “Fiona lives in Cork near Carrigaline with our parents John and Marie and has been going to school and having respite care at Cope Foundation for several years,” she said.
Living in Manchester for the past six years, Grace has been to the gym and walking before building up her distance running in her first public run.
The annual event featuring thousands of runners is traditionally televised by BBC Manchester.
Grace, along with her 28-year-old friends Keely and Kirsten Sankey, from Wrexham, will wear Cope Foundation T-shirts. “The three of us decided the Cope Foundation would be our chosen charity for sponsorship.
“I don’t expect the run to be easy but I’m getting into good shape and I know it’s do-able,” she said.
Working as an office temp to supplement her income, Grace, who studied drama in Wales, is a playwright and producer for the theatre.
From conception to production— casting, hiring actors, stage crews and theatres — Grace’s company Foraois Productions has presented shows throughout Britain’s north-west, including Manchester, Liverpool and Leeds. “You have to have a real passion and love for it, but it’s enjoyable,” she said. “I’m looking forward to the BUPA run on May 29; it’s such a huge event in Manchester and it takes over the city for the day.
“As it’s a Cork-based charity and not well-known in Manchester, I’m relying on family and friends for support and, so far, they have been very good.”
Her goal is €1,000 and, by yesterday, it was around €350.
* Her sponsorship page is on http://www.mycharity.ie/event/runforfiona
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