Andems Runners races raise over £25,000 for charity

Photo: Steve Gifford

Local race organiser Andy O'Sullivan MBE with Dual Olympian sprinter and former Commonwealth gold medallist Paula Dunn MBE

Over £25,000 has been raised for charity over the last year, thanks to races held by Andems Runners.

Between April 2018 and March 2019, 22 races staged by Andems have raised a whopping £25,012.50 for numerous causes, including large charities and local causes.

Beneficiaries include Samantha Smith, of Smithybridge, who has undergone a lifesaving operation in America, Whitworth Commonwealth medallist Mollie Campbell, who is aiming to play basketball at the 2020 Olympics, Francis House Children’s Hospice, Whitworth Cancer Research UK, Springhill Hospice and the Diane Modahl Sports Foundation, plus many others.

Race organiser Andy O’Sullivan MBE said: “I wish to thank Emily O’Sullivan, Colin, Brenda Robinson, Bill, Ken and Eileen, the other helpers and marshals, Rochdale Online, the company shop at Slattocks, Morrison’s in Bacup, UK Timers, Wilmslow Running Club, and Hazel, Julie and staff at the Cock & Magpie pub.”

Andy has organised hundreds of charity races since 1983, many named after people who contributed enormously to the sport.

In 1991, Andy received the BEM for services to the police and charities, which was followed with an MBE for services to athletics and charities 13 years later in 2004. He even carried the Olympic torch in London that year, together with some of the most famous people in the UK.

All upcoming Andems Races can be found on the Rochdale Online events page:

• www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/events/search?searchtype=text&searchvalue=andems