How the 'world’s fastest pencil' turned grief into cash for Salford charities
A Salford mum and teacher transforms her loss into fundraising triumphs, running marathons in memory of loved ones and raising thousands.
In this week’s newsletter, we talk to a local hero, who has turned her pain and loss into raising money and community spirits.
We also look at the countdown to Weaste’s first annual Pride, Rebecca Long Bailey’s vote against the Government over the Welfare Reform Bill, and St Ann’s plans to change its name by October.
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“If I’ve got two legs, I don’t see why I can’t use them to keep raising money”
When you lose someone, people react in many ways. For some, that grief becomes a driving force to help others.
Belinda Neild, a running enthusiast and art teacher at Fred Longworth High School, is a perfect example. A community champion, Belinda has raised thousands for charity, run the length of Hadrian’s Wall, and even earned the title of ‘the world’s fastest pencil’—all while raising money for St Ann’s Hospice.
“I started running and fundraising after my mum passed away. I put all my grief into running during that time,” Belinda explains. “She was an amazing person, and losing her changed my whole life. I used the time I would usually spend with her to go for runs.”
To see cancer’s devastating impact, Belinda says, is a reality we all face—“We all know how awful cancer can be, but I channelled my focus into challenges, and it just grew from there.”
After starting her running journey in 2011 following her mum’s death, Belinda took on various charity events.
“I entered a 10km race and wore a costume to raise more money for cancer research. I raised a couple of hundred pounds, which was great, so I wanted to keep going.”
Her determination grew. “If I’ve got two legs, I don’t see why I can’t use them to keep raising money.”
Belinda went on to break a world record, becoming the fastest person to run a marathon dressed as stationery—a cause that became even more meaningful when a friend’s young daughter passed away. “We raised around £7,000 for both cancer research and my friend’s daughter, as well as for a family member with cerebral palsy.”
But it was the care her mum received at St Ann’s Hospice that made Belinda decide to focus her fundraising there. “The hospice was wonderful. On her last day, my mum was smiling, and they made her smile. I’ll always remember that.”
In a speech at the St Ann’s Light Up for Life event in 2023, Belinda shared the memory of her mum’s final moments. “We drove home from the hospice, and she reminisced all the way. We didn’t know her cancer was terminal. My mum was so proud and just kept going. She didn’t want to talk about it.”
St Ann’s Hospice has since touched many people in her life. “I’ve had my father-in-law, my aunties, and my brother-in-law cared for there. That’s why raising money for them means so much.”
As her fundraising journey continued, the challenges became bigger and more unique. Belinda ran three marathons back-to-back—London, Manchester, and Liverpool. “Let me just check the dates of my world records,” she laughed. “I did it after that.”
Her world records, as the fastest piece of stationery and the fastest pencil, continue to inspire. But the more she ran, the more elaborate her costumes became. “I’ve dressed as a bee, Forest Gump, and a poppy for the British Legion,” she says. “The costumes encourage people to donate. And it worked—people went crazy for it.”
Belinda’s fundraising efforts are not just about her personal healing, but about involving the community. When the Bolton Marathon was cancelled and the runners were told they would not be getting refunds, but she rallied local people and ran from Bolton to Salford’s Mets track, dressed as a Rubik’s cube. “The community cheered me on at every milestone, and the kids got involved. It turned a negative situation into something positive.”
Over the years, Belinda has raised £40,000 for St Ann’s Hospice. “We just found out how much we’ve raised, and we’re going to keep fundraising. A lot of it has been as ‘Belinda Bee’,” she adds with a smile.
Her students at Fred Longworth High School have also been inspired by her dedication. “The students always ask about my running, which is amazing. They’ll shout down the corridor, ‘Have you done that run yet, Miss?’ It’s so positive. I even held a careers session recently, and a lot of the questions were about my challenges.”
Her daughter is even joining in, taking on a half-marathon this October. “We all fundraise for different reasons, but St Ann’s is so close to our hearts.”
Most recently, Belinda took on the 70-mile Hadrian’s Wall challenge on her birthday, finishing as the 11th woman overall. “I just wanted to know where I finished in my age category,” she says. “But finishing it was amazing. I did it in 18 hours, then went to teach the next day—it killed me!”
Belinda is already focused on next year’s goals, which include running 100 miles for her 50th birthday. “I just love being active and staying fit and healthy. It’s important to put that across for everyone,” she says.
For someone who’s already taken on so many challenges, it’s incredible to think Belinda’s just getting started. After completing 70 miles, she’s planning even bigger feats in the future. Her passion for running and fundraising shows no sign of slowing down.
“My goals are now focused on next year’s challenge,” she concludes. “I want to run 100 miles for my 50th birthday. It’ll probably take me over a day to complete. I just love being active and staying fit and healthy—and I want to encourage others to do the same.”
“Weaste has never had a proper Pride before” – First-ever Weaste Pride event to take place this July
The first annual Weaste Pride event is set to take place this July, aiming to celebrate love and diversity in the community.
The community of Salford will come together on Saturday 12 July in a celebration of diversity, connection, and showcasing that everyone belongs. Read more here.
Salford MP votes against the Government's welfare reform bill
Salford MP Rebecca Long-Bailey voted against Sir Keir Starmer’s Government, instead voting in favour of proposals to halt its welfare reforms.
As she said: “The true measure of any society is found in how it treats its most vulnerable members.” Read more here.
St Ann’s hospice to change name to honour inspirational founder
St Ann’s Hospice has announced it will change its name in October honouring the inspirational founder and the work of hospice pioneers.
The name was announced today (Thursday 3 July) by the hospice, which will be known as the Moya Cole Hospice from Wednesday 1 October. Read more here.
HMO landlords in Salford fined more than £500,000
Landlords of Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs) in Salford have been fined more than £500,000.
A licensing scheme launched by Salford City Council in July 2021 aims to crack down on unsafe and poorly maintained shared homes with three or four tenants.
A total of 26 landlords have since received 39 fines totalling £577,650. Read more here.
What’s On in Salford this week
🏉 Salford Red Devils will face Warrington Wolves at the Salford Community Stadium, as they continue to search for a second win of the season. Find more information here.
🤼 Salford City Wrestling presents "Reign of Fire” - A family-friendly pro-wrestling show live from The Pendlebury Social Club in Swinton on Friday 4th July. Find out more here.
🏊♀️ The MCUK Swim Challenge will be held at Dock 9 at Salford Quays on Saturday 5 July - seeing around 100 participants take on multiple different distances - 1.5km, 5km, 10km, and 15km. Find out more here.
Our photo of the week: Bridgewater Canal, Worsley
Often considered to be the first "true" canal, the Bridgewater Canal was commissioned by Francis Egerton, 3rd Duke of Bridgewater, to transport coal from his mines in Worsley.
The section from Worsley to Manchester opened on 17th July 1761; it was later extended from Manchester to Runcorn, and then from Worsley to Leigh. During this period, coal was needed in large quantities to fuel the Industrial Revolution, and the canal enabled coal and other goods to be transported efficiently and cheaply.
For many years, the canal around Worsley was noted for the distinctive bright orange colouring of the water. This was a result of iron oxide from the mines tainting the water as the canal passed through Worsley. A £2.5 million remedial scheme was undertaken in 2013 to remove this colouration.
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