Bernadette Bower 'Life for a Life' Tree 5K raises £1,000 for Springhill Hospice

Bernadette Bower

£1,000 was raised for Springhill Hospice during the first Bernadette Bower 'Life for a Life' Tree 5K at Cowm Reservoir in Whitworth on Saturday (15 December).

Bernadette raced around Cowm with her husband and children on many occasions with the Andems Runners, even racing around the reservoir the day she finished her radiotherapy when she thought she had beaten cancer.

The race was organised by Andems to celebrate the life of Bernadette and commemorate the determination she showed in her fight against cancer.

Bernadette’s widower Garry, who placed 17th out of the 124 runners taking part with a time of 22.09, started the race, which was won by Daniel McManus, Salford Harriers, with a time of 18.04, whilst Rochdale Harrier Jenny Pilling was first lady in 20.36.

A tree planting ceremony in memory of Bernadette took place before the race, with the tree marking the finish line.

All proceeds from the race went to Springhill Hospice, which cared for Bernadette and Garry during the last four weeks of her life and continued to care for Garry after Bernadette passed away.

A raffle in the pub after the race saw the proceeds donated to Whitworth basketball star, Mollie Campbell.