Phil Shea stepping up to the challenge to support colleague

Keira-Drew Burns born on the 2 March 2014, her expected due date had been the 7 June

Phil Shea is to run the BUPA Great Manchester 10K Run in aid of St Mary’s Children’s Hospital, Manchester.

This charity is close to the hearts of those at Vision, a commercial kitchen design company based in Heywood where Phil is Projects Director, after a colleague and his wife came to need the hospital's services unexpectedly.

Andrew Burns, Key Accounts Manager, and his wife Nikki were delighted to discover they were expecting their first child back in September 2013. However Nikki went into labour at just 26 weeks. Keira-Drew Burns was born on the 2 March 2014, her expected due date had been the  June. Keira-Drew weighed just 745 grams.

Keira-Drew would not be doing as well as she is now without the staff at St Mary’s, who looked after her in her early weeks. 

Phil has been spurred into action to take on his next challenge and he hopes that with the support of his colleagues, friends and family, he will raise £1,000 for St Mary’s Hospital on Sunday 18 May.

Phil said: “I am thrilled to be running the BUPA Great Manchester Run in aid of St Mary’s. I’ve competed in challenges in the past but running isn’t my greatest strength so this is going to be tough. Knowing the money I raise will be used to continue the great work that St Mary’s Children’s Hospital does is the best part of all.”

Andrew said: “We’re delighted to say that Keira-Drew is doing well. She’s now seven weeks old and weighs 3.13lbs, which doesn’t seem a lot but is great progress given everything she’s been through.

"We’ve been overwhelmed by all the support we’ve had from colleagues, friends and family and I hope we can raise a lot for St Mary’s. Nikki and I will never be able to repay them for what they did for our daughter.”

To support Phil’s challenge visit: http://www.justgiving.com/phil-shea1