Discover the ambassadors who support our cause

I will never be a millionaire. I get no joy in seeing a bulging bank balance. For me, my greatest joy is making other people happy and there is no greater outlet for this than Purple Heart Wishes.

Being alive and well is something we all take for granted but when I hear of some of the plights that young people face, it really saddens me.

I could choose to do nothing but that’s not me. Whether I’m pulling the pints at the Etihad or trekking across the UK in 10 days, it’s nice to know I’m doing something good for young adults who don’t have the luxury of a distant future.

I met Sue at BNI Masters and heard her story about Lyndsey, her daughter who died at just 29, which was the catalyst to get the charity going. Life is not a rehearsal, and we should grab it with both hands.

I will do whatever I can for Purple Heart Wishes and hope that I can inspire others to do the same.

I am a 55-year-old husband and dad and live in Dane Bank, Denton. I work at Manchester Met where I lead the postgraduate programmes in the Department of Engineering. My day-to-day work involves teaching additive manufacturing to undergraduate and postgraduate students, working with companies to develop prototypes of new products and providing 3D printing taster days for local school kids.

I am a ‘techie’ and spent my early career writing video games for popular 8-bit home computers before moving into healthcare and eventually into teaching. I also have a love for good coffee and good food!

I heard about Purple Heart Wishes and decided to volunteer, working in the drink’s kiosks, and enjoying the live music concerts at the Etihad over the summer. I have lost my mum and brother to cancer in the last three years, so being able to do something nice and of great importance for adults with terminal illnesses has more relevance to me now. For me, volunteering gives back more than it takes. There is a genuine feeling that you’re doing something good.

In my free time, I like to go out running which is an opportunity to get some headspace and to enjoy being outdoors. Sometimes if I am being a bit grumpy, my wife Janet will put my running shoes at the door and say, ‘Go for a run!’ as she knows I will come home happier than when I left.

We have recently got a whippet puppy called Tom who is like a missile when he runs and way too fast for me! In time, he will join me on my runs too.

I had always had an ambition to run The Wainwright Way across the UK and managed to complete it in 10 days this summer with my running pal Liam Mellon. People started to ask me if I was doing it for a charity, so it made sense to run for Purple Heart Wishes and we raised about £2500. The run was great, but the best part was meeting new people from all over the world, staying in strange places and waking up each day with only running through the countryside as the aim.

I am proud to be an ambassador and volunteer for Purple Heart Wishes.

I have always tried to do my bit for charity, in the past running half marathons and taking part in golf days. I was always involved in raising money for Macmillan because of the care they gave to my late grandparents.

I first met Sue at our networking group and hearing her story really hit home.  Having 4 children myself, I could not bear to think what I would do, if I was to lose any of them due to illness.  Hearing Sue’s story of her daughter Lyndsey made me want to help and do my bit for the people that are going through a similar situation to that of Sue and Lyndsey.

Sue started the charity in memory of her daughter Lyndsey and everything she has done has been outstanding.  I am certain Lyndsey would be looking down so proud of the selfless work Sue does to ensure other families can do that one thing they have always wanted to do before their loved one leaves.

I hope to be able to support Purple Heart Wishes with their worthwhile cause and the first massive challenge for me personally is to overcome my fear of heights and jump out of a perfectly good plane.  It’s just the start of my journey toward helping Sue promote, raise awareness and money for this amazing charity.