Local business, HFE backs its Finance Director, Louise Ormrod to complete the Manchester Marathon to raise valuable funds for Derian House.

The company has pledged to match fund every penny Louise raises, effectively doubling her fund-raising efforts.

Buckshaw Village-based HFE, which is a training provider to the health, fitness and wellbeing sector deliver fitness instructor and personal trainer courses across the UK. They qualify over 3,000 exercise professionals every year across a variety of qualifications, including personal training, Pilates, yoga, G.P Referral and sports massage.

Louise has decided to run the marathon to support Derian House, a cause that is extremely close to her heart. However, her motivations are not entirely altruistic because she is actually using the marathon as a warm-up event to help her prepare for the Bolton Ironman which takes place in July.

As if running the marathon isn’t enough, along with several members of the Rivington Triathlon Club, she’ll be cycling from Chorley to and from the marathon.

Lee Cain, Managing Director of HFE Lee Cain praised Louise for her commitment, training and fundraising ambitions. “We’re delighted that she is running the marathon for such a great cause and we’re equally pleased that we are all able to help her and others in the process. It’s so important for staff to feel that their hard work makes a difference, not just within the business but also outside of the company. This is a win-win solution in which the whole team to get behind Louise and the cause to show their support”.

Louise is no stranger to extreme endurance events. She’s completed multiple half and full marathons and in June 2016 she ran 100 km continuously across the Yorkshire moors and placed 6th, passing the finish line in just 15 hours.

When talking about Louise and her commitment to training, Lee went on to say “she’s one of the few people in the business without a fitness-based qualification and yet she’s fitter than anyone. In fact, she’s probably fitter than all of us put together”.

Louise’s gruelling training regime includes around 14 hours of exercise per week. She performs around 8-9 hours of cycling, 2-3 hours of running and around 3 and half hours swimming. By the time she’s ready for Ironman, this will increase to somewhere between 18-20 hours per week.

Louise is overjoyed with the support that she has received from friends, family, co-workers and the business. Without their support she said “it wouldn’t be possible for me to run this marathon for such a worthy cause.

After visiting Derian House this month, Lee went on to say that he was “amazed at the broad range of services offered at the hospice. It has completely changed my perception of what a children’s hospice is and the type of things the staff and volunteers would be doing. It’s so inspiring to see it with your own eyes. I cannot praise everyone at Derian House enough”.

BOLTON Wanderers football players won big smiles when they dropped into Derian House Children’s Hospice to hand out toys to the children.

The first team squad spread a little festive cheer when they handed out gifts to children staying at the hospice.

Brothers Adam and Alix, who use Derian’s services, were thrilled to meet the players – although they admitted they are actually Liverpool fans!

The players – whose personal donations had paid for the gifts – also took a tour of the hospice and posed for pictures with staff and children.

Former Derian service user Rebecca Delaney, 25, was paying a return visit to the hospice to deliver some gifts of her own to say thank you, when she bumped into the players.

“It was a wonderful surprise, we’re delighted!” said Rebecca’s mother Linda.

Player Josh Magennis said it was an “absolute privilege” to visit Derian.

Following the visit, he said: “Unfortunately the kids here may not be able to come to football games, so it’s a chance for us to come down and put a smile on their faces.

“We can sometimes be wrapped up in our own little bubble and today has been a humbling experience that has put things into perspective. It’s been an afternoon none of us will forget.”

Mick Croskery, Community Fundraiser at Derian House, said: “We’re really grateful to the Bolton players for bringing some festive cheer into Derian. The young people were absolutely thrilled with their gifts and it means a lot to us to have their support.”

WHEN it comes to New Year’s resolutions, super supporter Ryan Walmsley gives most people a run for their money!

The Blackburn teenager has run every single day of 2018 so far – more than 1,000 miles in total – to raise money for the children and young people at Derian House Children’s Hospice.

Ryan’s epic challenge has even earned him a spot on national radio, when he was interviewed live on air by presenter Greg James on BBC Radio One’s breakfast show this morning (Thurs, 13 December).

The former Darwen Vale High School student, 19, who is now serving an apprenticeship at BAE Systems in Samlesbury, said: “It’s been tough at times – both physically challenging and emotionally draining – but doing it for Derian House has brought out in me an inner determination that I would have struggled to find otherwise.

“I’ve seen the good work Derian does and what keeps me going is knowing that somewhere down the line, what I’m doing will benefit someone.”

Ryan has run at least three miles every single day, and with three weeks still to go has already hit his 1,000-mile target. He has also smashed his fundraising goal of £1,000 and hopes to make it to £2,000 by the end of the year.

Ryan’s gruelling regime has seen him wear out four pairs of trainers, and even run through bouts of flu, sickness bugs, many blisters and several hangovers.

He has run on holiday – pounding the streets of Berlin and Munich in Germany; Rome, London and the Lake District in 2018.

But heroic Ryan has taken it all in his stride, and admits he has enjoyed much of his challenge.

“Physically I’ve got a lot fitter and I tend to do a lot of my runs at dinner time, so if I’ve had a stressful morning at work it gives me time to clear my head,” he said.

The Blackburn Harriers Running Club member also praised his family for their support.

“The unsung hero of this year has been my mum Lynne,” said Ryan, who lives at the family home in Ewood, Blackburn. “She’s done my washing every single day!

“My girlfriend Olivia has also been brilliant. She’s been the one who has motivated me when I couldn’t be bothered going for a run. She’s said: ‘Come on, get up, get dressed, let’s go.’”

Ryan first came up with the idea to run every day for Derian after taking part in a sponsored all-day circuit training session at Darwen Vale High School.

And on 1 January, 2018, Ryan decided to go one step further and started out on his very own challenge that would last 365 days.

And what next for Ryan?

“I’m looking forward to that elusive rest day on New Year’s Day,” he said.

“After that I’d like to sit back and think ‘I did a good job there’.”

Kevin Bedford, Fundraising Manager at Derian House Children’s Hospice, said: “Ryan is an absolute super star and we’re so grateful to him for supporting us in this creative way. We see lots of wild and wonderful fundraising challenges here at Derian but this has to be one of the most gruelling yet. He’s raised a terrific amount for us and it really will make a difference.

“On behalf of all of the children and young people we look after at Derian, we’d like to say a sincere thank you to Ryan – and of course to his mum Lynne for all that washing!”

Derian House is a children’s hospice which provides respite and end-of-life care to more than 350 children and young people in Lancashire and South Cumbria.

The charity looks after the whole family, with dedicated teams for sibling support, hospice services at home and bereavement counselling for parents and grandparents.

Derian’s goal is to give families of children with life-shortening and life-threatening conditions a chance to make precious memories that will last a lifetime.

The Queen’s royal guardian of Lancashire has been announced as Patron of Derian House Children’s Hospice.

Lord Shuttleworth, the Lord-Lieutenant of Lancashire, has taken up the prestigious post to help raise awareness of the charity which offers respite and end-of-life care for more than 350 children and young people across the county.

“I have admired the remarkable work of Derian House for years, so I am delighted now to be formally associated with it.  It is one of the most inspiring places in Lancashire,” he said.

Lord and Lady Shuttleworth visited Derian House in September. They enjoyed a tour of the hospice and were presented with a special canvas painted by nine-year-old Amelia with the help of the Derian Play Team.

Lord Shuttleworth is joined by queen of the cabaret Kiki DeVille as a second new Patron at the Chorley-based hospice.
Kiki is best-known for her appearance on The Voice UK as a member of Team Will.i.am and also as judge on TV talent show All Together Now.

But at Derian, Kiki is better-known as mum to Dexter. Diagnosed at birth with Zellweger Syndrome, Dexter died at Derian House in October 2007 aged four weeks and three days-old.

“Ever since our little boy Dexter William died in our arms at Derian House Children’s Hospice, all I have ever wanted is to raise awareness and money for this incredible life-affirming place,” said Kiki.

“I am beyond humbled and excited to be a Patron of Derian House. It is literally a dream come true. I have hoped for this moment for 11 years and can barely put into words how it feels.”

The two new Patrons will act as representatives for Derian House, using their platform to help raise awareness of its work and reach a wider audience.

David Robinson, Chief Executive at Derian House, said: “We are honoured to welcome Lord Shuttleworth and Kiki DeVille and can’t wait to work with them on some of the exciting projects we have coming up.

“Kiki has close ties with Derian and her connection and passion for what we do makes her patronage so very special.

“Lord Shuttleworth has been connected to Derian for a number of years and we are proud he has agreed to join us as Patron. His association will add huge value and strength to the message we communicate about the importance of children’s palliative care.”