VIDEO: Burnley firm’s Pennine 10k inspiration from late charity champion

Neville Gee Recruitment has entered a team in this Sunday’s Pennine Lancashire 10k through Burnley after hearing of the incredible determination of the race’s late founder.

Mum-of-two Jane completed several marathons, triathlons, an Iron Man challenge while battling cancer and even rode thousands of miles across America raising £1.85m. in the months before her death from the disease in 2007.

Neville Gee director Donnie Doran, will be running the Jane Tomlinson Appeal Pennine 10k with nine of his staff and clients and believes the Burnley race could grow to become as popular as the Manchester or Leeds 10K.

He said: “Mike Tomlinson did a presentation on the Pennine 10K and I found his story about his wife Jane so inspirational.

“She cycled for eight weeks across America despite having terminal cancer but nothing would stop her crossing the finish line. It really is champion stuff.”

“One of the inspiring things Mike spoke about at the Bondholders Club was how an event like this can put Burnley on the map. I think it is a fantastic event for the town.

“I would like to think if we can get enough support for the event it can be as big as the Manchester or Leeds 10k and hopefully we can make it an annual event.”

The team, made up entirely of 10k first-timers, is running to raise money for a charity called Millie’s Trust. The charity was set up after baby Millie Thompson, whose mum is from Burnley, choked to death at nursery in a tragic incident. The organisations now provides training for people to learn how to administer life-saving first aid to a child.

Neville Gee also hopes to create sessions in the town so people can access this specialist CPR training.

Les Readfearn (57) a manufacturing manager at BMP in Altham, is joining the Neville Gee team at the 10k race.

He said: “I only started running 12 months ago after 25 years away. I have done 5k runs before but this is my first 10k.

“We are good friends with Donnie so rather than running it on my own I joined the team. It is nice to have a bit of healthy competition.”

Donnie, who is determined to compete the run despite a calf injury, added: “It is on the tips of everyone’s tongues as it gets closer and builds up a head of steam. We are really looking forward to the run.”