Ava (17) ran every day for a month for Moya Cole Hospice
Ava Callister ran every day in the month of October in memory of her godfather, Darren
Ava Callister (17) ran a mile a day in the month of October to raise funds for Moya Cole Hospice. She did this in memory of her godfather, Darren who died due to Motor Neuron Disease (MND) in February.
Ava has raised over £1,300 for Moya Cole Hospice following her challenge, smashing her original goal of £250.
According to Ava she wanted to do the challenge as she wanted to give back to the hospice that cared for Darren. She also wanted to become more active, as due to her exams, she wasn’t able to get out as much.
“I normally hate running, but knew it was something I needed to do and thought I might be more inspired if I dedicated it to something important to me and Darren immediately came to mind,” Ava said.
I decided to raise the money for Moya Cole Hospice because they treated and cared for Darren amazingly and I want them to be able to continue to do this for other people and families as there are many untreatable conditions like MND and the support and care they provide for both the family and the individual is great and can make a really upsetting time easier Ava Callister, Moya Cole Hospice Supporter
Ava said she found the challenge difficult as she wasn’t used to running a mile and certainly wasn’t used to running every day.
“I had previous knee issues from a football injury, which made me more achy and sore, but I used the thought of Darren and the hospice being able to help others as my motivation to continue,” she said.
Ava said that Darren was known for his sense of humour and his “crazy, cheeky personality”.
“I found him so funny. He seemed to know everybody, and everyone liked him. He was very smart and extremely creative, and artistic. He was always really interested in my life and achievements. I used to call him my Aunty Darrina, and that’s how he signed all my cards.
“My mum went to see him a couple of times in the hospice whilst I was in school doing my exams, and she said the care that he and his family received from the hospice was invaluable. I am currently doing T Level Health Care Adult Nursing in college, and the experience of having somebody so important to me relying on that care just made me more determined that healthcare is what I want to commit my future to.”