Poolsbrook parkrun boss Andy Morris lands charity champion accolade

Andy, who organises runs in Poolsbrook, has been made a Champion of Alzheimer’s Research UK.

He is the top fundraiser for the Running Down Dementia campaign, which challenges people to run 100km during the summer. Andy has raised more than £6,500 and clocked up more than 1,500km over the last three years.

Andy, 55, was inspired to support the charity as his mum Peggy, who died last year, had vascular dementia. Alzheimer’s Research UK is the official charity partner of parkrun UK.

He helped with publicity for this year’s Running Down Dementia campaign by telling his story for a promotional video and arranged for fellow parkrunners to feature in the main campaign video.

The laboratory manager, who lives in Chesterfield, is also a passionate dementia campaigner, He is part of the dementia team for the PROVE (parkrun, running or volunteering for everyone) project, which aims to promote inclusivity and support for those living with dementia and their loved ones and carers in the parkrun community.

Andy said: “I am delighted and honoured to be named as an Alzheimer’s Research UK Champion.

“The charity does fantastic work and I’ve always felt that playing my own small part to help them will help make a difference to future generations.

“I will continue to support the charity and the vital research they are funding and will feel proud to be an Alzheimer’s Research UK Champion while I’m doing this.”

Andy joins around 50 people who have been made champions in recent years in recognition of their efforts in fundraising and raising awareness on behalf of Alzheimer’s Research UK. There are 850,000 people in the UK living with dementia.

Hilary Evans, chief executive of Alzheimer’s Research UK, said: “Andy has been a tireless supporter of Alzheimer’s Research UK with the money he’s raised, the kilometres he’s run and his efforts in promoting the charity and raising awareness of dementia.

“Alzheimer’s Research UK is proud to be the official charity partner of parkrun UK and thousands of parkrunners have supported us, so we are delighted to make someone who is so prominent in the parkrun movement a champion.”

Andy is among more than 4,800 people taking part in this summer’s Running Down Dementia. To sponsor Andy, who has already passed his 250km target, go to https://runningdowndementia2018.everydayhero.com/uk/andy

For further information about Alzheimer’s Research UK call 0300 111 5555 or visit www.alzheimersresearchuk.org