Burnley College headmaster’s mom’s brave inspiration for him to take on the ultra marathon challenge to raise money for the hospital that saved his life

David Lord, director of construction at the college, was joined by his colleagues Simon Jordan, deputy director, Solomon Whittaker, program manager and Paul Whittaker, student services manager, to take on the challenge.

They took part in the 50-mile ultra-marathon over Yorkshire’s Three Peaks to raise money for the stroke unit at the Royal Blackburn Hospital where David’s mother Norma was recently treated.

David said: “”Several weeks ago my mum had a stroke and we were told she wouldn’t survive due to the extent of the bleeding in her brain, they couldn’t do much- thing for her. As a family, we came together.

“We were absolutely devastated, we spent hours next to mum alongside my brothers Paul and Shaun, my wife, my sisters-in-law and all her grandchildren wishing that she was well.

“Miraculously, she has improved and continues to improve and is making progress every day.

“Although she will never be the same again, we thank our lucky stars that she is here and continues to fight. She has surprised all the staff with her quality.”

David, an experienced runner who has run the London Marathon before, has set himself an initial goal of £2,000.

In the Yorkshire Three Peaks challenge, people climb the three highest points in the Dales – Pen-y-Ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough.

The 24-mile course – which David and his running partners have covered twice – includes almost 1,600 meters of climbs and usually takes walkers around 12 hours.

Popular and well-known, Norma has lived in Burnley all her life and was married to her husband Jeff, a Burnley Football Club season ticket holder for 58 years. She worked at Lucas for over 30 years.

Her family matriarch, Norma, moved into Pendle Community Hospital a few weeks ago. Placed in end-of-life care at one point, Norma defied doctors and is an inspiration with her fighting spirit and determination to recover.

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