Nurse Joanne races towards Rotherham Hospital £2,000 target

Specialist stroke nurse Joanne Clough scooped £820 for the Rotherham Hospital and Community Charity with the event at the Three Horseshoes pub, Wickersley.

Joanne (pictured) is running this year’s London Marathon to raise the rest of the money, which will go to the charity’s Purple Butterfly Appeal.

The appeal aims to build a new suite at Rotherham Hospital, providing privacy and dignity for patients at the end of their lives and their families.

Joanne, from Bramley, only began running a year ago, after being diagnosed with autism.

She is now a member of the Rotherham Harriers and Athletics Club and trains four times a week.

Joanne said: “I wanted to do something positive to show that my diagnosis was not something that would hold me back.

“My family, everyone from the stroke unit at work, my gym and running club have been really supportive of my ambition to run the London Marathon so I wanted to arrange an event to say thank you and to help me reach my fundraising target.”

Joanne is fundraising in memory of her mum, Linda Pritchard, a former coronary care nurse who died five years ago.

She added: “I was so proud to see so many people at the race night, having fun and raising money for the Purple Butterfly Appeal, which is really close to my heart.

“Thank you to everyone who came along to the event or who donated prizes, especially everyone from my team who I couldn’t have done this without.”

The purpose-built Purple Butterfly Rooms cost £75,000 each and come equipped with specialist equipment and home comforts.

Gabby Atmarow, chair of the charitable funds committee, said: “We really are incredibly proud of Joanne and all her fundraising efforts.

“Thanks to Joanne, and everyone who has helped her fundraise so far.”

Joanne has raised over £1,500 so far.

Visit bit.ly/2n9gvfv for more information and help her secure the rest.