Runner Claire raced ahead for charity challenge

Claire, 38, a regional manager’s assistant with Scrivens Opticians and Hearing Care in Chesterfield, joined 200 participants in The Millennium Way ultra-marathon from Newport to Burton on Trent on Sunday, March 6.

It is the biggest distance she has ever attempted and she had to navigate muddy fields, stiles and fences along the way.

Claire, who lives in Kidsgrove, explained why she was so keen to take part in the event.

She said: “I wanted to do something special for Alzheimer’s Society because it is the Scrivens’ charity of the year, and also because it’s a cause close to my heart.

“I lost my nan in December last year to Alzheimer’s.”

Her grandmother, June Prince, was 81 and from Audley.

Claire, who is a member of the Stoke FIT – Friends in Training Running Club ­— said: “I just wanted to raise as much money as possible.

“I have not set a target. I ran the London Marathon in 2011, but I have never attempted 41 miles before.

“It is a challenge but I had 12 hours to complete it and I trained very hard before the event itself.”

Her focus will then be on running the Potters Arf Marathon on June 12, and the Potteries Marathon on July 3, both in aid of Alzheimer’s Society.

Anyone who wants to sponsor Claire can visit www.justgiving.com/ClaireConnolly3103.

Scrivens is supporting Alzheimer’s Society in 2016 after raising £12,700 last year. Branches and individual staff have embraced the cause by coming up with inventive fundraising ideas.

Alzheimer’s Society is the leading support and research charity in the UK for people with dementia and those who care for them.

The charity estimates 23 million people have a close friends or family with dementia. Despite its name, the charity does not exclusively help people with Alzheimer’s disease.

There are many types of dementia, which is an umbrella term. For more visit: www. alzheimers.org.uk.

Scrivens Opticians and Hearing Care was founded in 1938 and has 178 stores in England and Wales, with 1,000 employees.