14 Nov 2025 Community

Kacey Runs in Memory of Her Granddad Alan to Support The Kirkwood

When 25-year-old Kacey Buckley from Grange Moor decided to take on the Manchester Half Marathon, it wasn’t just for the challenge, it was in loving memory of her granddad, Alan Buckley, who was cared for by The Kirkwood.

Kacey was just nine years old when Alan was supported by the hospice in 2009, but even at that young age, the experience left a lasting impression.

“My granddad was under the care of The Kirkwood when I was younger,” Kacey said. “I think it was 2009, so I was only nine at the time. I didn’t really understand what it was or what was going on, but he passed away here, unfortunately, from his illness.”

Alan had a tumour, and after a period of being cared for at home, he spent a month or so at the hospice, where Kacey and her family visited him often.

“I just remember it being a very nice environment to come into,” she said. “I’m one of those people who doesn’t really like medical settings, for myself or even visiting, but it didn’t feel like that here. My granddad had a room where you could walk out into the gardens, and that really stuck with me.”

Kacey also remembers one small but special detail about those visits: “While you were making the brew, I remember going to the little shop at the bottom of reception and getting to buy something every time I came. And all the funds from that go to The Kirkwood as well, which is great.”

Although she was only a child when Alan died, Kacey’s connection with The Kirkwood grew stronger over the years: “As I’ve got older, my family have always said, ‘We support The Kirkwood, this is what they do.’ Knowing the brilliant job that you all do and that it’s a charity and you need the money to continue doing the work.”

That sense of gratitude has become part of her family’s values: “For my granddad’s and my uncle’s funerals, we asked for donations to The Kirkwood because we thought it’s something local and close to our hearts. My granddad’s best friend was also cared for here last year, and that really brought it full circle.”

Kacey’s workplace, Cummins, also has a business partnership with The Kirkwood, which she says helps her stay connected: “We send people to come and help with the garden and in the shops on volunteer days. I see all the communications that go out at work about what’s needed, and it reminds me how important it all is.”

Kacey has always been sporty, so when she wanted to raise funds for The Kirkwood, she chose a challenge that would test her endurance: “Anything sporty or something that’s a challenge, I’m happy to get involved with,” she smiled. “So I decided to take on the half marathon challenge.”

She signed up for the Manchester Half Marathon in October, setting an initial fundraising target of £500. But she ended up raising around £1,520, more than triple her goal.

“I smashed it,” she said. “I did think I’d get it because my family are so supportive, but I didn’t expect to raise that much.” 

Kacey’s training didn’t go as planned. During the months leading up to the race, her family went through an incredibly difficult time: “My granddad on my mum's side passed away in June and then my uncle in September,” she explained. “There was a lot going on, but I knew I still wanted to do it. I’d already set up the sponsorship and fundraising, so regardless of the training, I needed to do it.”

Despite everything, she completed the race in two hours and 50 minutes, under her goal of three hours: “I felt so good at the end,” she said. “At the start I was like, ‘Oh, it’s going well,’ and then I got cramp halfway through, but I dragged myself to the finish. I was emotional because I’d had all that going on, but I wanted to get it done for my granddad and everyone who’d sponsored me.”

Kacey still remembers the comfort and compassion her family received from The Kirkwood and says it’s something she’ll never forget: “The Kirkwood is vital to the community and everyone who lives around here,” she said. “You don’t know if you’re going to need to be here at some point, or if someone in your family will. People probably forget about it sometimes because it’s tucked away and tranquil, but it’s such an important place.

“It’s always in the back of my mind how good it was when I was visiting here. It wasn’t for the best reasons, but everyone did the best they could to make it a positive experience.”

Her passion for helping hasn’t stopped there. Kacey has taken on charity boxing in the past, and although she jokes that she lost the fight, she insists it was all for a good cause. For Kacey, fundraising is about giving back to a place that once gave so much to her family: “It needs to be put across to people how important the work is that gets done here. I’d absolutely encourage anybody to fundraise for The Kirkwood. It’s brilliant, everyone should get involved if they can.”

Through loss, challenge, and determination, Kacey has shown exactly what Kirkwood means to the local community, love, resilience, and hohope.

If you'd like to take on a fundraising challenge just like Kacey then click HERE and help to support The Kirkwood.