Tag: Leila McClure

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Teenager riding high after mammoth challenge for Willow Wood

A Dukinfield teenager has raised a fantastic £1,735 for Willow Wood Hospice by swimming the equivalent of five marathons AND cycling 73 miles.

Leila McClure combined two of her passions for the mammoth eight-month challenge, which she completed before the 20th anniversary of her grandma’s death.

Mary McClure died peacefully in the Hospice, based in Ashton-under-Lyne, on 5th May 2003 from breast cancer.

Although Leila didn’t get to meet her grandma, the memories shared with her throughout her life made it feel that she had a deep understanding and connection with her.

The 13-year-old, who goes to All Saints Catholic College and is a member of Dukinfield Marlins Swimming Club, has made her family very proud.

Leila’s family have been supporting the Hospice for many years

Her dad Ian told us: “She has smashed her challenge out of the park, eight months of solid hard work that involved a 73-mile bike ride and 131 miles in the pool. The pool swims equated to a humongous 8,384 lengths!

“For a 13-year-old girl, her focus and dedication are inspirational. As well as raising funds for her grandma, halfway through the challenge, her grandad passed away and whilst it had an obvious impact on her, she did not allow this to throw her and she kept focussed on raising as much money as she could for Willow Wood.

“Big thanks to everyone who sponsored her and helped motivate her along the way, including Leila’s amazing friends, as well as Active Tameside for donating free swims at their pools for her.

“What a fantastic achievement, we are very, very proud.”

Leila swam most days in order to complete her epic challenge

Leila set an initial target to raise £500 but quickly smashed it and the money she has raised will make a difference to patients from the local community in our care.

Samantha Kitch, Fundraising Manager at Willow Wood Hospice, said: “We are truly grateful for the incredible determination and heart that Leila has shown to support the Hospice.

“She really is an inspiration to us all and we cannot thank her enough for her amazing efforts, which will help us to provide compassionate care to other families across Tameside and Glossop.

“We need to raise at least £3.3 million every year and, with only around 20 per cent of our funding coming by way of central government, the generosity of our community is crucial.”

If you would like to take on a challenge for Willow Wood, please get in touch with our Fundraising team by emailing fundraising@willowwood.org.uk or calling 0161 330 7788 so the Hospice’s team can support you along the way.

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Tameside teenager embarks on epic challenge for Willow Wood

A teenager from Dukinfield is swimming the equivalent of five marathons AND cycling 73 miles – all before the anniversary of her grandma’s death – to raise funds for Willow Wood Hospice.

Mary McClure passed away peacefully in the Hospice, based in Ashton-under-Lyne, on 5th May 2003 from breast cancer.

Although Leila McClure didn’t get to meet her grandma, the memories shared with her throughout her life made it feel that she had a deep understanding and connection with her.

Leila’s family have been supporting the Hospice for many years and have been volunteering at events where Leila has come along to since she was just two years old.

Now Leila is 13 years old and able to choose how she can support the Hospice by herself, she has taken on the huge challenge, which she intends to finish by 5th May 2024.

Leila, who goes to All Saints Catholic College, said: “Unfortunately, I never met my grandma as she died before I was born, however I have been told how much of an amazing person she was and how well she was cared for in our amazing Hospice.

“This year is the 20th anniversary since she passed away and she would have been celebrating her 73rd birthday on New Year’s Eve. To mark the 20 years, I wanted to do something significant to recognise her and raise some money along the way. I plan to combine two passions of mine – cycling and swimming.

“As she would have been 73 and died on the fifth month of the year, I am doing a 73-mile bike ride (to recognise her 73rd birthday) and swim the equivalent of five marathons (as she died on the fifth day of the fifth month of the year).

“The swimming will be the most difficult challenge as that equates to 131 miles, so 8,433 lengths in total, but I am determined to do it and raise much-needed funds for a great cause, given how important it is to the local community.

“I am up for the challenge. Any help you can give me along the way by sponsoring me with whatever you can would be really appreciated.”

Leila – who is a member of Dukinfield Marlins Swimming Club – usually swims for around two hours, three times per week, but she is now swimming most days to ensure she completes her challenge. She has already finished her first marathon – so it’s one down, four to go!

Her initial target of £500 has already been smashed and Leila is thrilled with the support she has had so far.

Lisa Buckley, Community Fundraiser at Willow Wood Hospice, commented: “We are truly grateful for the incredible determination and heart that Leila is showing to support the Hospice.

“Her dedication is a shining example of the impact one individual can have when they set their mind to making a difference.

“We are thrilled to have such an inspirational champion like Leila helping us to continue providing vital care and support to those in need in our community.”

Anyone who wishes to support Leila to help provide other families with the care and support her grandma received at the Hospice can make a donation on her JustGiving page here: https://www.justgiving.com/page/leila-mcclure-1696426430085

Pictured: Young fundraising hero Leila in the gardens at Willow Wood Hospice

By Adam Higgins