Catering Equipment Director stepping up to the challenge to support fellow colleague

 

The early morning runs, aching limbs and blisters won't stop Phil Shea, Projects Director for Vision Commercial Kitchens, who is determined 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 after a well loved member of the team and his wife came to rely on their 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 2nd March 2014, her expected due date had been the 7th June. Keira-Drew weighed just 745 grams.

 

The team at Vision have waited with baited breath on every update from Nikki and Andrew and it is without doubt that 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. Keira-Drew and Nikki were taken care of to such a high standard that the medical team came to feel like family within no time at all.

 

Not just a colleague but also a close friend to Andrew and Nikki, 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 an incredible £1000 for St Mary's Hospital on Sunday 18th 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 raised will be used to continue the great work that St Mary's Children's Hospital does is the best part of it all."

 

Andrew said, "We're delighted to say that Keira-Drew is doing well. She's now 7 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, please visit - http://www.justgiving.com/phil-shea1