A charitable Macclesfield jogger has fundraised thousands for East Cheshire Hospice in memory of a neighbour.

Kerry Clarke (45), has raised almost £3000 in memory of Liz Cunningham (73), who passed away on December 22 after a short battle with cancer.

Kerry undertook a 39-mile race for almost 17 hours across the Pennine Way in honour of her much-loved neighbour.

The funds raised will go towards East Cheshire Hospice, the Macclesfield centre which provides support to those suffering with life-limiting illnesses and their families, who looked after Liz and her loved ones last month.

The Sutton residents were neighbours, and used to go to The Church House pub together.

"I was next door neighbour to the lovely Liz Cunningham for over 23 years, who sadly left us at the end of December," said Kerry.

"Liz was a really lovely woman from a lovely family. She was the absolute genuine article. A really good friend as well."

"We used to go to the pub together and have laugh. She used to make a really good lemon drizzle cake, but she wasn't allowed to eat it as she was diabetic!"

Kerry is used to helping good causes, as she works for the NHS and volunteers for Buxton Mountain Rescue.

She normally fundraises for the Alzehimers Society or Marie Curie, but when Kerry's late friend passed away she thought it would be only appropriate to raise funds for the Macclesfield good cause that helped her.

Born in 1948, Elizabeth Cunningham was the mother of Macclesfield musician Phil Cunningham (47), who is a member of the bands Sea Fever and New Order.

Musical talent as in the family, as Liz was a regular in the Sutton St James Church Choir.

"Thank you to Kerry for all the work she was done," said Phil.

"I can't imagine how much more difficult things would have been for us if my mum hadn't have made it the East Cheshire Hospice for her final days.

"They truly do wonderful work there. [It is] unbelievable that it is mainly funded by donations."

As of publication, 58 people have donated to Kerry's crowdfunder in memory of Liz, and you can with the link here.

Kerry has raised £1705 as of publication through the crowdfunding website, but has also raised a further £700 offline through community donations, so has raised almost three grand for East Cheshire Hospice.

"I've always believed you should do what you can to help other people," Kerry added.

"And I think it was something Liz always believed as well She was always there to help and put a nice word in someone's ear.

"So when Liz passed I thought it was highly appropriate for East Cheshire Hospice, they do amazing work.

"They're a really worthy charity and they supported Liz and her family really well.

"When Phil tweeted the link it just went skyward. The guitarist from [the Britpop band] Oasis even supported it as well. Thanks to everyone who has donated."

Please click here to donate to the JustGiving page in memory of Liz.

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