Wigan mum smashes charity target after running half marathon
A Wigan mum who took part in the world’s biggest half marathon raised more than three times her target for a charity close to her heart.
Amanda Hough and her family care for trainee guide dogs, taking them to training each day and reinforcing what they have learned while caring for them overnight and at weekends.
They have looked after two dogs – Dempsey and Sparkle – since taking up the role in 2023.
So when Amanda attempted to get a place in the Great North Run, she pledged to raise money for the charity Guide Dogs if she was successful.
Amanda, who lives in Aspull, secured a place in the race ballot, started training and set herself a fund-raising target of £350.
She travelled to the North East last month and ran the Great North Run, covering 13.1 miles from Newcastle to South Shields.
Amanda, a run leader with Wigan Council, said: “It was brilliant. It was an unforgettable experience from start to finish.
"It was absolutely massive. There were 60,000 runners alone and then all the support, all the marshals, everybody. It was vast.”
One of her highlights was passing a cheer point for Guide Dogs on the route, where her charity vast was spotted and she was encouraged to keep going.
After crossing the finishing line, Amanda collected her medal and went to a Guide Dogs stand in the charity village, where runners were thanked for their efforts and received massages.
Money poured into her fund-raising page and she has now collected £1,305 for Guide Dogs.
Donations can still be made at www.justgiving.com/page/amanda-hough-1707776951086.