St Ann’s supporter running Great Manchester Run in memory of his late Grandmother

Liam Saberton will be running the marathon and raising funds for St Ann's Hospice

By Cathal Doherty on January 28, 2025

Liam and Nick with their Gran Sheila

Liam Saberton is running the Great Manchester Run in memory of his grandmother Sylvia and in an effort to raise funds for St Ann’s Hospice. 

This year St Ann’s is once again a charity partner for the Great Manchester Run and has a number of places for the 10k, half-marathon and marathon. 

Liam originally decided on running the marathon as he believes that setting himself goals helps with a better frame of mind. He hadn’t decided on running as part of #TeamStAnns until Sylvia was admitted to the hospice in November. 

He did not know that St Ann’s relies heavily on donations from the public to keep the doors open. 

“I was visiting one time shortly after she was admitted and as I was walking around I noticed in the reception there were all sorts of trinkets on sale and a donation box,” Liam said. 

 

I spoke to the receptionist, and she said that the hospice relies on donations, I did my own research and saw the stats. I thought it was fully funded by the NHS and that’s not the case Liam Saberton, St Ann's Hospice Supporter

Sylivia was admitted to St Ann’s in November. She was able to go home at the start of December but then she took a turn on Christmas Eve. 

“Fortunately St Ann’s were able to take her in. I was working on Christmas Eve. It got to about 3 o’clock that day and my dad said I needed to come see her. She wasn’t in the best of states. She was getting help and all sorts to make her more comfortable,” Liam said. 

“It was distressing to see her in that state. She got through Christmas Eve and Christmas Day but she passed away on January 4. Due to the care she got in St Ann’s, if I could do my bit to hopefully help another family out I’d be quite happy,” he added. 

Liam is now training for the Great Manchester Run and has set up a Just Giving page where he has already raised over £600 for St Ann’s Hospice. Click the link above to visit the page. 

If you are interested in joining #TeamStAnns for the Great Manchester Run there are still places in the 10k run and a few places remaining for the half marathon. You can sign up by clicking here