Late council leader Alan Taylor’s daughter to run Manchester Half Marathon in his memory for Manchester and Cheshire Dogs’ Home

The daughter of late council leader Alan Taylor is lacing up her running shoes in his memory as she prepares to take on the Manchester Half Marathon in October.

Jane Taylor, who works for Rochdale Borough Council, will be raising funds for the Manchester and Cheshire Dogs’ Home in Harpurhey in her father’s memory with the 13.1 mile run on 13 October.

Alan, a former Liberal Democrat councillor, was leader of the council between 2006-2009 and peacefully died earlier at his home in Newhey this year.

• www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/127688/obituary-former-council-leader-alan-taylor-has-died

Speaking about her decision to support the Dogs’ Home, Jane said: “It’s been really hard over these last few months since my dad died. I’m running the half marathon in his memory to give me something positive to focus on and to do something good in his name as two of his beloved dogs, Poppy and Pelli, came from the Manchester Dogs’ Home.”

“Dad wanted dogs from the home as they are a wonderful local charity who have been helping dogs for years, and dad himself was born and brought up in Urmston. His parents were from around Harpurhey and Blakeley so very local to the home, and he came to Rochdale in 1965.”

Alan adopted Poppy in 1999, a year after his old dog Penny died, who he inherited from his mother. 

Wanting a dog who looked totally different to Penny, who was dark, he returned with the blonde Poppy.

 

 

After Poppy died in 2013, Jane and her step-mum went with Alan in 2014 to look for another dog, adopting Pelli.

Jane smiled: “I can clearly remember meeting Poppy and Pelli at the Harpurhey site and excitedly taking them home with dad. Poppy was so soft and gentle that dad used to take her out canvassing with him during election campaigns – she even wore a rosette! 

“Pelli is so funny – she loves chewing grass, and loves to cover herself up with her blanket on the settee.  She’s a mongrel but definitely has some Staffie in her. She is roughly around six years old as she was quite young in June 2014.”

 

 

The race in October will be the furthest distance Jane has run, having previously completed the Manchester 10km on more than one occasion. Her personal best time for the 10k is one hour and five minutes, and she hopes to complete the half marathon in around two hours 20 minutes. 

She added: “I am finding it hard as I have arthritis in my left foot so am not as fit as I used to be, but it’s motivating to know I’m doing it for a good cause.

“I’ve been trying to train at least twice a week. I joined Littleborough Runners two weeks ago to be part of a group, as I’ve realised I need that extra push and they are a great group of people.”

Jane has also been doing some swimming and indoor cycling.

Jane continued: “The most so far that I’ve run is 7km but will be upping my distance over the next few weeks. I always struggle for the first five minutes of any run, but once I get into my stride, I’m ok and feel comfortable. 

“I’ve bought a dalmatian ears headband and tail from a fancy-dress shop to wear on the run. Please help me raise money for a wonderful local charity. A heartfelt thanks to anyone who donates, and the dogs thank you too.”

You can support Jane and donate to the Manchester and Cheshire Dogs’ Home, here:

• www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Jane-Taylor73