A popular Christmas event returns to Darlington this weekend – and one local woman has shared her deeply personal reasons for taking part.
Anna Bonner will be running for the third time in the St Teresa’s Hospice Festive Fun Run, raising money for the charity that supported her family when they needed it most.
She said: “I’ve always enjoyed running, but when my husband, Michael, became ill, I became a full-time carer and running had to take a backseat. But everything changed when Michael got a bed at St Teresa’s Hospice. He was genuinely thrilled – over the moon really – and I was relieved.”
Not only was Michael looked after, but Anna found solace and support in speaking with both the nursing team, and family support counsellor, Jennifer Smithson.
“Michael would talk with his nurse, Polly, about her plans to tackle the Great North Run, and together they would encourage me to take time for myself and run,” she said.
“When I was able to get out with my running club friends, it was a chance to breathe and have some time for me.“I think now it was Michael’s way of getting me used to having to do things now on my own, but they allowed me to be his wife again, and running again gave me a community.”
“I think now it was Michael’s way of getting me used to having to do things now on my own, but they allowed me to be his wife again, and running again gave me a community.”
She has taken part in the annual event twice since Michael passed away at the hospice, and has raised more than £1,300 in his memory by running laps of Darlington’s West Park dressed in her Christmas best.
Nicola Myers, chief executive of St Teresa’s Hospice, said: “Stories like Anna and Michael’s cut straight to the heart of why the hospice is here – to help local people when they need it the most.
“It’s because of people like Anna, who have seen first-hand the impact of our work and have become such incredible ambassadors for our charity, that St Teresa’s Hospice is able to carry on our important work.
“From all of us here, we want to say a big thank you Anna, and to everyone backing her.”
“The nurses at St Teresa’s just got Michael, they knew his personality,” Anna added.
“He wasn’t an easy patient, but they got his sense of humour, his love of Celtic Football Club, and he started to trust someone other than me to take care of him.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, Anna has become a vocal supporter of hospice care, and encourages friends and family to join her in the run.
“I don’t mind what time I cross the finish line. My friends and I dress up, lace up our trainers, and come rain or shine, we line up at the start, because what I do care about is doing something incredible to raise funds for a charity I appreciate.”
