Why Amber is running the Robin Hood Half Marathon for Hayward House

One of our Robin Hood Half Marathon runners has a very special reason for taking part in this September’s event.

Amber Busuttil-Goodfellow is running in memory of her Uncle Mick, and to raise money for Hayward House, where Mick was cared for in his final days.

Amber and her family are so grateful for the care Mick received that she has decided to take on the challenge in aid of our Hayward House Appeal, which is raising money for enhancements to the palliative care centre at the City Hospital.

Talking about her uncle, Amber said: “Uncle Mick was the absolute life of the party - a loud, funny, infectious, larger than life personality really defined him. As a successful businessman he held the perfect balance of charisma and intellect and I've never known an individual impact so many others to the extent Mick did.

“However, his main love - and not always a smooth ride - was Nottingham Forest. A die-hard season ticket holder alongside an incredible ability to consume more beer than anyone else made days at the City Ground memorable for everyone!

“He absolutely adored his family, we have a big family and we'd all look forward to our tradition on Boxing Day where we'd go to the pub and play all sorts of games which Mick was of course, front and centre for. He leaves behind his wife Anne, his daughters Shannon and Chloe, as well all his nieces and nephews who all really feel his loss.”

Amber says she is by no means an experienced runner, but has always wanted to take on a half marathon, and fundraising in memory of her Uncle Mick was the perfect reason to sign up and start training.

She said: “The half marathon goal started as a personal goal to motivate myself on a fitness basis, but seeing the response I was getting when telling people I was doing it and the conversations it started to provoke, it felt like a no brainer to fundraise alongside this. People have such respect for Mick, and the hole he's left is immense, so it just feels so apt. He would have without a doubt been at the finish line with a pint in hand for me!”

Charity Stow, Community Fundraiser at Nottingham Hospitals Charity, said: “We’re so touched that Amber is taking on the Robin Hood Half Marathon in memory of her Uncle Mick, and we’re pleased to welcome her to our growing team of runners taking part in the event.

“Mick sounds like a wonderful character, and taking part in an event like this is a wonderful way to honour his memory, and raise money to support other patients and families at Hayward House at the same time.”

If you’d like to join Amber in running for Nottingham Hospitals Charity, there’s still time to sign up for this year’s Robin Hood Half Marathon! Click here to register today.

To sponsor Amber, please click here.