It’s the St Michael’s 10k road race on Sunday (22nd June) and for one 69-year-old Stone lady, it’s just one of many races she’s running in her 70th year to raise money for a charity very close to her heart.
Val Stuart from Yarnfield – who will be 70 on 1st November – is running half-marathons and 10k races totalling 70 miles to raise money for the Williams Syndrome Foundation.
In March last year, just before his second birthday, Val’s youngest grandson James was diagnosed with Williams Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder. James has many of the characteristics of WS, including difficulty in sleeping, problems with eating, learning difficulties, a very friendly and sociable personality, a love of all things musical and hyper-sensitivity to certain noises.
A member of the Stafford Harriers running club for the last three years, Val decided to raise money for the WS Foundation to thank them for their support. She’s already run the Wheaton Aston 10k, the Stafford half-marathon and the Two Castles 10k run in Warwickshire. After Sunday’s Stone 10k, Val will be taking on the Black Country and Nottingham half-marathons, and another 10k in October to round things off!
Val said: “I’m hoping to raise the general awareness by running for the WS Foundation to increase their funds that enables James and other children with the same condition to receive help and support. The WS Foundation is the main UK charity for people with this condition, and is run by parents for parents. All funds go directly to help research, welfare and support, and any donation, however small, will make a difference and is greatly appreciated.”
You can donate to Val’s fundraising mission at her Just Giving page HERE
Look out for Val on Sunday if you’re going to cheer the runners on. She’ll be wearing a ‘Val’s 70 miles for 70 years’ T-shirt and yellow cap with ‘Val’ on it. Give her an extra-loud cheers! It will also be a family affair for Val on Sunday as she’ll be running with her daughter and 15-year-old grand-daughter.
The Stone St Michael’s 10k road race starts at 10am from Lichfield Road/Weaver’s Lane by St Michael’s First School. It’s also the school’s summer fayre that morning/afternoon too, with lots going on. More information about the 10k race, including a map of the route, is on the race website HERE
Here’s a video of the start of the Stone 10k race that we filmed in 2011…
1 comment
Anne Coghlan
An amazing and inspirational lady. Val is held in high esteem in the Harrier family and deservedly so for her selfless support to all ages and abilities. She is making an enormous commitment to this cause and making a difficult challenge a joyous event.