Councillor Chris Furlong set to make a run for it

Councillor Chris Furlong on a training run

Councillor Chris Furlong is getting his running shoes on to raise money for Heywood and Middleton foodbanks.

The North Middleton Labour councillor says he has been training very hard for two 10k runs which are coming up at the end of February and in May, and is hoping for as many sponsors as possible for a very “worthy cause”.

Chris has raised approximately £80,000 for charities between 2007 and 2013, and was given an ‘Above and Beyond’ award for his efforts in 2013.

Councillor Furlong said: “I know both foodbanks are being swamped in demand due to the government cuts, so I am trying to raise as much money for them as possible. Both Demesne on Langley and Heywood foodbanks are the unsung heroes and need as much financial and material help as possible to cope with all this demand.

“Previous charity work I have done is for local schools, Help for Heroes, community centres, kids football teams, MacMillan, Movember, local churches, Spring Hill Hospice, local guides, The Christie hospital, Sandon House amongst others, but it got to the point my kids were sick of seeing me in the media. I haven’t made my fundraising public for a long time, but on this occasion I really want to get the word out there and really try and make some money for these guys, as they really need it.”

The first run, The Manchester Winter Run, will entail Chris running around the Etihad Stadium on Sunday 28 February. The second is The Manchester Great Run on Sunday 22 May around Manchester city centre.

St Vincent de Paul Society will be collecting the funds raised on behalf of the foodbanks.

To donate visit:

https://www.justgiving.com/Chris-Furlong2