News & Star
CARLISLE TAKEAWAYS SUPPORT CITY HOSPITAL MAN’S SAHARA RUN FOR HOSPICE
By Pamela McGowanTwo city centre takeaways are backing a Carlisle hospital porter in his bid to run across the Sahara and raise money for Hospice at Home.
Michael Irving, front, is being sponsored by Martin Bell and Alam Mohammed
Michael Irving, who works at Carlisle’s Cumberland Infirmary, will attempt the toughest foot race in the world – the epic Marathon Des Sables, covering 151 miles through the Sahara Desert in Morocco.
Better known as Curly, he hopes to raise thousands of pounds for Hospice at Home Carlisle and North Lakeland by the time he flies out to Africa in April next year.
Now he is being sponsored by Carlisle businessmen Martin Bell, manager of Club Victoria, and Alam Mohammed, owner of the Tikka Indian takeaway on London Road.
Martin, who has known Michael since his school days, has promised to donate £1 from the cost of every takeaway pizza Club Victoria delivers in Carlisle between now and next April. Friend Alam will do the same for every delivered takeaway meal he sells in the same period.
The pair hope more local businesses will sign up to help boost the hospice funds.
“I’ve known Michael most of my life. He just popped in one day and told me what he was doing. It’s pretty incredible – a bit more than just a run in the park,” said Martin.
“He asked if we could help out but we thought we’d do a bit more than that. We’ve just launched pizza deliveries so it seemed a perfect opportunity. When I spoke to Alam he was keen to help too.
“I would hope that in the next year we will be able to get about 10 other businesses on board, then once he is finished in April continue it for a different charity.”
When Michael kicks off his extreme challenge in southern Morocco he will have to carry everything he needs for the duration of the race.
During the event he will experience soaring temperatures, sandstorms and challenging terrain.
Around 1,000 people enter the event each year – but about 250 do not complete it.
Michael is backing Hospice at Home as a thank-you for the excellent care the charity gave to his mum, who was able to remain in her home towards the end of her life – as she had wished.
In preparation, he is regularly running between 30 and 50 miles and training in the gym three times a week.
Any other businesses wanting to get involved can contact Martin on 01228 533476.
First published at 11:27, Wednesday, 25 April 2012
Published byhttp://www.newsandstar.co.uk
