Hartlepool hospice rooms named in memory of charity supporters

Michael Day (left) of Miles for Men with Alan and Janice Royal, outside the room at Hartlepool Hospice that Miles for Men opened and donated Â£5000 in memory of their son Paul, on Saturday.

Town charity Miles for Men has opened two more rooms at Hartlepool & District Hospice in Wells Avenue – and they have been launched in memory of Stuart Gaffney and Paul Royal.

The two men were described by Miles for Men officials as “big supporters of the charity.”

Miles For Men at Hartlepool and District Hospice.
Hospice Julie Hildreth and Michael Day — Miles For Men at Hartlepool and District Hospice. Hospice Julie Hildreth and Michael Day

An official unveiling of the room was held last weekend and Miles for Men founder Michael Day met with the families of the two men for the emotional event.

Michael said: “It was a great way to leave a legacy for the ever popular lads from Hartlepool who are very sadly missed.”

Fellow Miles for Men official Kevin Hill said: “We felt it only right to do something for the families to remember their loved ones.

“It would not have been possible without the support of the local public and businesses who have contributed in some way or other and also the team at Miles for Men who work extremely hard behind the scenes.”

“This is the third room that the charity have opened at the hospice.”

The first Miles for Men room was in memory of Michael Day’s father, also called Michael, who lost his battle with throat cancer.”

The charity’s links with the hospice will continue later this year. Funds raised at this year’s 5km fun run will go to the hospice and people can enter online at www.milesformen.co.uk

The run will be held on Sunday, July 31 and has again been lined up to start and finish at The Domes in Seaton Carew.

Runners will set off at 1pm and organisers are hoping to beat the 2015 total of more than 300 runners.

Registration will be open from 10am.

Hospice senior fundraising manager Julie Hildreth said: “The hospice is very excited to be given this opportunity to work with another local charity.

“Miles for Men is a well recognised charity in the Hartlepool and East Durham area and for them to choose to support the hospice is a fantastic compliment to the hard work and dedication of the team here.

“I would like to extend thanks on behalf of everyone at the hospice, patients, families and staff; we are really looking forward to working with Miles for Men.”