Heywood company director raises over £3,000 for Springhill Hospice after running London Marathon

A co-owner and director of a Heywood-based contract cleaning and staff recruitment company has raised over £3,000 for Springhill Hospice after completing the London Marathon on Sunday 23 April.

Helen McGeechan, formerly Colligan, of East Lancashire Services Ltd, completed the 26.2-mile run in four hours and 58 minutes in memory of her dad, Lawrence Burke.

Lawrence – who set up East Lancashire Services Ltd as Rochdale Contract Cleaners in 1975 with Helen’s mum, Stella – was a keen runner with two marathons under his belt and always dreamed of doing the London Marathon but never had the opportunity.

 

 

Helen, 51, says she decided to enter the ballot for the iconic race when she was in London for the marathon last October. She previously ran the Manchester Marathon in 2012 and didn’t think she’d run another.

She said: “I entered the London Marathon ballot on a bit of a whim having been in London during the 2022 marathon and getting caught up in the atmosphere. I thought, ‘I’m going to do this next year,’ and I still can’t believe I got a place in the ballot!

“My dad was a keen runner and took part in countless races, but never got the opportunity to do the London Marathon so I ran it in his memory. Dad passed away in 2019 under the care of the Springhill Hospice team so it is a cause close to my heart.

“Springhill is very underfunded at the moment and is in danger of having to cut some of their vital services to avoid closure completely, which would be a massive tragedy.”

 

 

Helen has so far raised an impressive £1,583 for the hospice, which is facing a £1million shortfall: East Lancashire Services Ltd which Helen runs with her brother Kevin Burke will match the final amount raised.

“I have been completely overwhelmed by everyone’s support and generosity, especially with the cost-of-living crisis we all currently face,” Helen continued.

“Kevin and I have decided that in dad’s memory, East Lancashire Services Ltd will be matching the final amount raised. We are looking at £3,166 as it stands right now.”

Donations can be made via:

• https://2023tcslondonmarathon.enthuse.com/pf/helen-mcgeechan