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Richard Stuttard is set to walk 40 miles today to raise vital funds for Sue Ryder Manorlands Hospice

Words by Smiley Team

Richard Stuttard is set to walk 40 miles along the Leeds & Liverpool Canal today Saturday 25th July to raise vital funds for Sue Ryder Manorlands Hospice in Keighley, who cared for his father David.

 

The 24-hour challenge, which is taking place shortly after Richard’s 40th birthday, will be in memory of his father, David, who was cared for at the hospice before he passed away in May. The 40-mile route will see him walk from the village of Riddlesden in Keighley to East Marton near Barnoldswick, and back.

Sue Ryder Manorlands Hospice provides expert palliative care, advice and support for people who are living with life-limiting conditions. Richard, who lives in Haworth, said: “The care provided by the whole team at Sue Ryder Manorlands Hospice during the five weeks my dad was there was absolutely amazing and I genuinely do not know what we would have done without them. This was not just medical and practical care, but incredible emotional care shown to both my dad and to me during an unbelievably sad time.

 

“The most positive thing I feel I can do is try to raise some desperately needed money to help keep the hospice running. The COVID-19 crisis is having a devastating impact on its funding and I would be extremely grateful for any donations to this important cause.”

 

With fundraising events cancelled for the rest of this year and no clear indication of how long it will take for Sue Ryder charity shops to return to normal trading, Sue Ryder Manorlands Hospice anticipates a funding gap of £1.5m for this financial year and urgently needs both financial donations and fundraising to ensure their work can continue. 

 

Hayley Ibbotson, Senior Community Fundraiser at Sue Ryder Manorlands Hospice said: “We’d like to say a big thank you to Richard for taking on this incredible fundraising challenge in memory of his dad. During this challenging time we urgently need ongoing public support to continue to be there when it matters for patients and their loved ones.”

Richard has currently raised over £3,000 for Manorlands Hospice through his 40th birthday challenge. You can donate to his JustGiving page. To find out about Sue Ryder Manorlands Hospice, the expert palliative care they provide and further ways you can help support them here.

 

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