Assistant manager Ian Baraclough is running a marathon to help raise money for Cancer Research and Emmaus Mossley.
Baraclough will run the Brighton marathon on April 9 to raise money for two charities he holds close to his heart.Cancer Research are the world’s leading charity dedicated to beating cancer through research. They have saved millions of lives by discovering new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer.
Emmaus Mossley is more than just a charity shop, it is home to the companions - formerly homeless people who live in our community and work in their social enterprise.
Baraclough takes up the story: "When I was eight, I lost my mum to cancer. I was devastated and didn't understand why?
"That was 38 years ago and great strides have been made to find answers in order to fight the disease, finding new methods of identifying the disease early and developing treatments in order to increase the success rate of cancer sufferers.
"In the 1970's, less than a quarter of people with cancer survived their disease for 10 years or more. Today, around half of people diagnosed with cancer will survive. In the next 20 years we would hope to be able to have three quarters of people who get the disease to survive.
"With this in mind I am attempting my first marathon in Brighton on April 9 and would encourage you to help me raise some money that would help towards ensuring other eight-year-old's in the UK do not lose their mums to cancer in the future.
"I know the challenge of completing the 26.2miles will be a tough one but having the knowledge that I have many supporters pledging their money in the hope of me completing the race will spur me on to the finish line.
"Working for Oldham Athletic, I also wanted to try to raise money for a local charity that the club supports. Emmaus Mossley is the chosen charity.
"Emmaus Mossley offers a home and work to previously homeless and unemployed people. It supports 26 companions and without the companions' skills, experience, hard work and dedication the charity would not function.
"So please give generously and I thank you for your support."
To donate to the Cancer Research charity, please click this link.
To donate to the Emmaus Mossley charity, please click this link.