£20,000 RAISED AND A WORLD RECORD BROKEN FOR BELINDA THE FASTEST PENCIL IN SALFORD

Belinda Neild from Salford achieved the Guinness World Record at the 2022 London Marathon.

Belinda Neild, an incredible art teacher from Salford, achieved the Guinness World Record as the fastest woman to run a marathon dressed as an item of stationery in September at the London Marathon, while raising money for St Ann’s Hospice.

At the end of October we celebrated Belinda’s achievements by gathering those who have supported her at our Little Hulton hospice alongside her family to recognise her incredible fundraising effort. Belinda was delighted to find she had raised over £20,000 for the hospice – something she only found out on the day!

Belinda has been raising money for St Ann’s over the last few years in memory of her mum, who was a patient at our Little Hulton site and died there in 2011.

Speaking at the event to celebrate her success, Belinda said:

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“Emotional is not the word, I’m absolutely blown away by all the support. Every penny really does make a difference, I can’t believe I’ve raised my target of £20,000. It really goes to show how every single donation makes a difference.”

From the London Marathon alone Belinda raised £5,395, and gained the title of ‘the fastest pencil in Salford’ from many of her supporters along the way!

After losing her father-in-law, Kevin Neild, and aunt, Sandra McStravick, shortly after her mum passed away from cancer, Belinda decided to run to help her cope with her grief.

Emma Dixon, Director of Clinical Services, was delighted that Belinda could be celebrated for all the fundraising she has done for the hospice.

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We are so grateful that Belinda has raised such a phenomenal amount of money for us. It means the world to us that supporters like Belinda dedicate so much of their time to supporting us and raising awareness of our services. Not every charity can say they have a Guinness World Record holder as one of their supporters! 

The event to celebrate Belinda’s achievements was a way to recognise the incredible amount of money that she’s raised and to show how thankful everyone at St Ann’s is. Her husband Steve is hoping to run the London Marathon next year in aid of the hospice as he’s determined to beat the amount that Belinda has raised!

Belinda Neild, Supporter & Guinness World Record Holder, said:

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“This Guinness World Record is for my mum and Kevin that got me through it. The staff do an amazing job; I remember walking into St Ann’s to see my mum and she had the biggest smile on her face. That is a memory I will never forget. Thank you from the bottom of my heart to everyone who’s supported me, I couldn’t have done it without your donations.”

Story By Jenn Hughes