Blackpool's over 50s Goal-den Girls are charity gold

The Goal-den Girls has now surpassed £50,000 with its fundraising total, since 2012.

Through pounding the pavements, the women have raised a grand total of £51,632, which over the years has been used to help eight local charities – including Northwest Air Ambulance, Guide Dogs For The Blind, Blackpool Victoria Breast Care Unit and Blackpool Women’s Refuge to name just a few.

Their most recent donation was £10,000, to Brian House and Trinity Hospice.

They meet twice a week to run around Stanley Park, and take part in runs all over the country, as well as taking on fundraising challenges, and often enjoy social events together too.

Tricia Ellis, who set up The Goal-den Girls with the original challenge of completing a marathon in 2012, the London Olympics year, said: “We were privileged to be invited to Brian House and spend a morning in this beautiful tranquil environment and witness first-hand the fantastic work the dedicated staff do.

“Although the majority of the ‘girls’ have now reached 60 (and over), we are still going strong and continue to run Wednesday nights and Sunday mornings to meet for training. This year we have ladies running in Brighton, Manchester and Cardiff, plus local Blackpool events.

“We are all very grateful we can keep going and enjoy our exercise and friendship together each week. Over the years we have done some amazing things and made some fantastic memories for when we do finally get old!

“We are all extremely proud of our achievements and will continue to try and make a difference. Our legacy is to continue inspiring women to run and use this activity as a way of staying young at heart. You are never too old to run.”

Tricia has been organising and coaching women’s running in Blackpool for 12 years, including at her beginners’ groups held on the running track in Stanley Park.