Siemens run the Great Manchester Run

• On May 21st, the Great Manchester Run returns, celebrating its 20th anniversary.
• For the past 6 years the technology company Siemens has participated in the Great Run.
• This year 50 Siemens runners will be taking on the 10k and the half marathon, intending to raise £8000 in donations for the Francis House Children Hospice, based in Didsbury.

On May 21st, the Great Manchester Run returns, celebrating its 20th anniversary. From locals to celebrity athletes like Mo Farah, thousands are taking part this year, raising money for their chosen charities.

Whether running the annual half marathon or 10k run, the runners will be spurred on by the buzzing atmosphere, live music, and the crowd of spirited Mancunians cheering them on every step of the way.

Starting from Portland Street, our athletes will have a tour of Mancunian culture, passing landmarks like Old Trafford, the Imperial War Museum, and the cobbles of Coronation Streets set.

Siemens

Each year, Siemens, a technology company located on Princess Road, raises money for a nominated local charity as well as supporting numerous local charities to the tune of over £5000 from its Community Support Fund. There are also plenty of other fundraising activities the Siemens employees voluntarily take part in, including bake sales, raffles and indeed, participating in the Great Run.

Steve Aughton, Head of Sales at Siemens and the chief Great Run organiser, said, “We’ve participated in the Great Run Manchester for the past 6 years but never with such numbers. There are 50 of us this year from across the business of all abilities.”

This time, the 50 Siemen runners will be taking on the 10k and the half marathon, intending to raise £8000 in donations for the Francis House Children Hospice, based in Didsbury.

The Francis House Children Hospice

The Francis House Children’s Hospice is a home for children with life-limiting illnesses, providing support, friendship and end-of-life care. As a non-profit organisation, the Francis House needs over 4.7 million in charitable donations each year to continue its great work.

Steve said, “We selected Francis House because it is a wonderful charity! Based in Didsbury, what they do each year is to support over 500 families from across Greater Manchester who are caring for a child with a short life expectancy.”

 “They support these families through their good days, their tough days, and their last days all through charitable donations. This wouldn’t be possible without the support of fundraising’s from people and businesses in the community and we’re all eager to raise as much as possible to help.”

Steve encourages the Didsbury community to get involved through volunteering, becoming a Francis House friend, attending open days or simply donating. You can see more information via the Francis House website.

Alternatively, you can donate directly via Siemens’s own Just Giving Page.

Like 2022 with its 30,000 plus participants, The Great Run Manchester will be televised live on the BBC.

Whether you’re watching from home, or amongst the crowd on the 21st, Steve says, “Look out for us in our Siemens blue shirts and give us a cheer!”