Sam Ackerley and his dad Bryan are taking on the challenge of the Chester 10k this weekend. The pair are fundraising in aid of The Walton Centre Charity, after Norman Pollard, Sam’s partner Amy’s granddad, was looked after in the hospital’s intensive care unit.

Norman came to the specialist neurosciences hospital in September last year after sustaining a bleed on the brain. He sadly passed away shortly afterwards.

Sam, from Chester, said: “I was fortunate to spend a lot of time with Norman, and he was an excellent man. I promised him that I would run the Chester 10k when he was poorly in hospital as we had an ongoing running joke about how unfit I was. I’m sad that he won’t see me get my running shoes on and have a good go at completing the race, but I know he will be proud.

“The Walton Centre took excellent care of him and Amy’s granny, who stayed at the charity-funded home from home accommodation, so it’s the least we could do to raise some money for this fantastic organisation.

“Training is ongoing and we’re doing well, can’t wait to get going!”

The Walton Centre Charity-funded home from home relatives’ accommodation is for loved ones of patients who are rushed in as an emergency. They can spend initial nights at the accommodation free of charge, so they can be close to intensive care.

Head of Fundraising Madeleine Fletcher said: “We have so many fundraisers who are inspired by the care a loved one received at The Walton Centre. Sam and his dad Bryan are amazing, and we can’t thank them enough for choosing to support our charity. We’re really proud of our relatives’ accommodation and the support it can provide at what can be an extraordinary time. We wish them good luck for the Chester 10k!”

If you’d like to support Sam and Bryan, you can visit their fundraising page.