Denise Oldfield has her sights set on the Great Manchester Run Half Marathon to raise funds for St Ann’s Hospice

Northenden based Trading Office Administrator, Denise Oldfield, aged 54, is gearing up for the Great Manchester Run Half Marathon in May to raise funds for #TeamStAnns

By News Team on May 6, 2022

In the summer of 2019, the father of Denise’s former partner, Bill Waddington, was supported by the nursing staff at St Ann’s Hospice in Heald Green, after being diagnosed with a rare brain tumour. Denise happened to be helping out in the lottery department of the hospice at the same time and would visit Bill each day after work.

I witnessed first-hand how amazing the staff and nurses were during that period and how much they cared.

A keen road runner, Denise has been pounding the pavements for the last twenty years but never met the challenging heights of a 23km half marathon. Inspired by the work of the hospice and wanting to push herself further than ever before.

I have always had it in the back of my mind to do a half marathon. The longest distance I have run is 17km; from my house in Northenden to Quarry Bank Mill in Styal and back. I want to push myself a little bit further this time round for a great cause.

Talking about what gives her the motivation to take on the run, Denise said:

I guess like many people I had my preconceptions about hospices, however all these myths were dispelled on my frequent bed-side visits to Bill in Heald Green. There is a real camaraderie between staff, patients and families. Bill was treated with such dignity whilst being cared for at St Ann’s. The hospice is widely respected in and around Greater Manchester, Stockport but also around the world. It’s evident that everybody who works there, whether office-based, nursing staff, shop managers or volunteers, all share the same vision and passion.

St Ann’s provides care for thousands of people with cancer and other life-limiting illnesses every year from its hospice sites in Heald Green and Little Hulton, as well as via a range of community and outreach services.  Specialist hospice staff support people from across Greater Manchester and parts of Cheshire right from the point of diagnosis of their illness, through treatment and beyond. 

Thank you so much Denise for taking on this bold and brave challenge to support St Ann’s. The Great Manchester Run has been such an important fundraiser for the hospice for many years. We’re really grateful to anyone who joins Team St Ann’s - there’s an amazing atmosphere on the day, and every penny raised makes such a difference to the lives of local people. We can’t wait to see you there! Please sign up now and help support St Ann’s. Rachel McMillan, Chief Executive of St Ann’s Hospice

St Ann’s have a number of free charity places available for people wishing to run the epic 10km or half-marathon. The St Ann’s sixty in 60 challenge returns for the Great Manchester Run 2022, where the hospice challenge sixty runners to complete 10km in 60 minutes. Team members are granted free entry into the run and asked to raise a minimum of £200 in sponsorship. Runners can decide to take on the challenge or run at their own pace and can join social meet ups and training events to help them prepare for the challenge.  

 To sponsor Denise visit: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/denise-oldfield  

Sign up for a free St Ann’s charity place today!!

Call 0161 498 3631 or

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