Fundraising
AJ Bell Great Manchester Run raises £168,500 for lifesaving research
AJ Bell Great Manchester Run celebrates its partnership with us as we reveal the event last weekend raised over £168,500 for vital heart research.
Over 600 Team BHF runners took on Sunday’s AJ Bell Great Manchester Run as part of the event’s charity partnership. They were determined joined by 35,000 other trainer-clad participants, to take on either the 10K or half marathon route on Sunday 18th May.
We partnered up with AJ Bell in 2023 with a joint mission to help improve the nation’s heart health. The partnership will run for two years.
This year’s iconic AJ Bell Great Manchester Run helped the charity to raise over £168,500, which will go towards finding new cures and treatments for the 7.6 million people in the UK currently living with heart and circulatory conditions.
Reasons for running
Runners of different ages and backgrounds took to the streets of Manchester, all with their own heartfelt reason for running. Among them was Stephen Edwards, a former office manager from Widnes, who retrained as a personal trainer after suffering severe depression following three successive cardiac arrests.
The 39-year-old, struggled deeply with his mental health following his cardiac event. However, through the running Stephen found his cure. After being approved by his medical team, exercise became a coping mechanism for his depression. and he just got stronger and happier. His love for exercise became his life saver and led to him retraining at a personal trainer so he can help others in similar situations turn their lives around too.
Also running to raise funds is Joanne Harding from Urmston. Joanne is taking part alongside her daughter, Grace. The pair were running in honour of Grace's dad, Steve Harding, who suffered brain damage after a sudden cardiac arrest in 2024 aged 62.
Joanne said: "Whilst Steve is still with us, he very sadly suffered what's called a hypoxic brain injury because he wasn't revived as quickly as necessary. "[We're running to] raise awareness of the importance of knowing how to do CPR and save a life."
Inspiring reasons
Karen McDonnell, Senior Events Manager at the BHF, added: “The stories of why our amazing supporters take part in our events, never fail to inspire me. It was fantastic to see the passion and determination of over 600 BHF runners who took on the AJ Bell Great Manchester Run on Sunday. Together they’ve help raised an incredible £xxx which will fund research to help revolutionise treatments and transform the lives of the 7.6 million of people in the UK living with heart and circulatory diseases.”
Talking about the event Anya Gorton, Brand Manager, at AJ Bell said: “It was hugely inspiring to witness the sea of red BHF runners on Sunday. Having the BHF as our partner for the Great Manchester Run has given us a real insight into the drives behind why people take on the event. It was truly fantastic day and we want to say a huge well done to all of the fabulous runners.”