Former Middleton councillor presents £700 cheques to charity

Former councillor Chris Furlong (third from left) presented three cheques to charity raised from his ‘Three Marathons-Three Months-Three Countries’ challenge earlier this year

Former Middleton councillor Chris Furlong presented three £715 cheques to three local charities at the Rochdale Community Partnership soup kitchen on Friday (14 September).

Heywood Foodbank, Middleton Foodbank and The Greater Manchester Mayor’s Homelessness Fund all received £715.80 each after Chris raised a total of £2,147.40 earlier this year with his ‘Three Marathons-Three Months-Three Countries’ challenge earlier this year.

Chris, a former North Middleton councillor, completed the Wrexham half marathon in March, followed by the Manchester Marathon in April, finishing his challenge in the Scottish Highlands in May with the Edinburgh half marathon.

He was joined at the soup kitchen by Mayor Andy Burnham, who spoke to the soup kitchen service users, sponsor Beverly Heyworth of Blue Rose Gifts Heywood, who donated sweets and cakes, Rochdale Mayor Mohammed Zaman, Dr Robina Shah, the High Sheriff of Greater Manchester.

Chris, who volunteers at the soup kitchen, said: “A big thanks to Mohammed Sheraz and the rest of the volunteers at Rochdale Community Partnership Soup Kitchen for volunteering their time and making the event so successful.”

Curry and rice, hot and cold drinks and sweets were available, all of which had been donated by the local community. 

Last year, Chris completed the Bolton and Manchester 10k races before taking on the Southport Half Marathon, raising £1,875 for Heywood Guides Senior Section, Springhill Hospice and the Lighthouse Project.

Over the last decade, Chris has raised over £100,000 for charities such as Help for Heroes, Sandon House, Parkinson UK, Cancer Research UK, PTA Groups, Macmillan Cancer Care, Christie Hospital and scout groups. 

His fundraising efforts, which have ranged from fairs and coffee mornings to race nights and fashion shows have also helped raise funds for local football teams, community centres, schools and churches.

In 2012, Chris won an ‘Above and Beyond’ award at the Bibby Line Group for raising £25,000 in one year.