Ella Chadwick Mile and Mollie Campbell 5k raise £400

Charity races held in honour of two young women from Whitworth on Wednesday (11 April) raised £400 for two causes.

The Mollie Campbell 5k raised £300 towards Commonwealth silver medallist Mollie’s aspirations of taking part in the upcoming 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.

As Mollie, 23, part of the basketball squad that won a silver medal at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Australia, does not yet have a sponsor, all proceeds of the 5k race at Cowm Reservoir will go towards purchasing trainers and kit for the talented star.

The 5k was won by Chris Houldsworth in 15:33 minutes, one of the fastest times for an Andems race Cowm course.

First lady Eleanor Bolton ran the second fastest ever ladies time for a Cowm course, in 17:03 minutes.

A further £100 for Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital was raised on the night with the Ella Chadwick Mile, with the little girl finishing the race in 23 minutes.

 

 

Ella, 11, was born with a rare kidney disease, Congenital Nephrotic Syndrome, surviving over 40 gruelling operations in her first six years before having a lifesaving kidney donated from her grandmother.

She was forced to have both of her kidneys removed and, up until her life-saving transplant, she faced weekly hospital trips for dialysis at the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital. 

Even after her tough start in life, Ella has never let that stop her, pouring all of her determined efforts into supporting the charity and raising funds to help other sick children. 

In October 2018, the little girl was recognised with the Child of Courage Award at the Pride of Britain awards ceremony.

Race organiser, Andy O'Sullivan of Andems Runners, said: "Mollie and Ella have both done so much to make the people of Whitworth proud of them. It was a wonderful evening; both the 5K and mile went smoothly. Ella enchanted the crowd, who all really admired her spirit.

“Thank you to all who helped."

Ella's mum, Karen Hughes, said: "It was a fab night. Ella loved the run. Although she struggled with the hill, after a short pause for a drink of water, she completed it with a bow at the end. She really enjoyed talking to all the other runners and spectators."

Mollie added: "I would like to say a massive thank you to everyone who took part and especially to Andy whose continued support over the years has allowed me to stay on court and train to the highest standards. I am grateful to be a part of this community as it really does help support one another."