Just amazing - the Hartlepool charity which has donated £500,000 to worthy causes thanks to YOUR help
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Miles For Men has hit the £500,000 total in the amount it has donated to worthy causes and that’s in just nine years since it was first formed.
Poorly children have been given the chance to enjoy holidays while others received much-needed wheelchairs, bikes or trikes.
Some youngsters got the chance to have extra medical treatment to help them have the best chance in life.
Deserving parents across town have been treated to spa days, flowers and afternoon teas.
In the last 15 months, many people in lockdown have received food donations.
There has also been support for people with cancer and those in hospices.
All this has happened since 2012 when Miles for Men held its first event.
Charity founder Micky Day started the 5k run in memory of his father Michael Day senior, who died aged 68 after a one-year battle with throat cancer.
Micky said: “We thought we would raise a couple of thousand.”
That first run attracted 1,000 runners and raised more than £40,000.
Since then, people have fundraised for Miles for Men in incredible ways and even soldiers in Afghanistan held their own charity event to support the cause.
Micky added: “The response has always been fantastic from the people of Hartlepool. This town is an amazing place.”
During 2020, it also launched a new branch of the cause called Minds For Men and Wellness For Women which offers support during a time when there has been a rise in mental health issues over the last 18 months.
The help for Hartlepool people hasn’t stopped during lockdown.
Instead, it has continued apace and Micky said: “We stepped up our support in the community even more through food donations and shopping for the vulnerable.”
Micky described the backing of the charity’s volunteers as "priceless” and added: “We have worked alongside some great people.”
But now that the milestone of £500,000 in donations has been reached, Miles for Men is aiming even higher.
Miles for Men is helping to promote the new Rainbow Retreat initiative which was launched by Lyla and Lilley’s Stars last month.
The aim of the Rainbow Retreat is to send seriously ill youngsters to a luxury villa in Tenerife but £10,000 must be raised for it to become reality.
All this has stemmed from that first 5k run in 2012 and Micky reflected: “It is a massive milestone and it is great that the people of Hartlepool have taken us to their hearts.”
As he looked forward to continuing the good work, Micky added: “There is no better feeling than helping someone. It is priceless.”