Burnley Together’s Ella Roberts is taking on the Manchester Half Marathon this October to raise money for Down Town.
The Senior Customer Service Advisor will be running the 13.1-mile challenge on Sunday 12th October 2025 in hopes of raising £500.
Talking about the challenge, Ella said: “I chose to do a half marathon because I’ve always been active growing up and enjoy running different distances, although I’ve never run more than 10km before”.
She continued: “This challenge represents a personal achievement for me, and I’m excited to support such a great cause at the same time.”
Down Town, which is located above New Look in Charter Walk shopping centre, is Burnley Together’s community hub.
Working with partners in Calico Homes, Burnley FC in the Community, Burnley Leisure and Culture, Burnley Council and the Message Trust, Down Town provides a space for free activities and advice, as well as a free school uniform shop, a café and a community grocery.
Discussing her role at Down Town, Ella shared: “No two days are the same at Down Town. My day varies from sorting donations and supporting customers to working on the Household Support Fund scheme. It’s always busy but very rewarding”.
Down Town relies on fundraising and donations to ensure it can continue
She continued: “Services like Burnley Together are vital because they bring people together and support them in achieving their goals and aspirations. They also help individuals overcome obstacles they might be facing, which strengthens the whole community”.
The Manchester Half is a 13.1-mile challenge that takes place every October, starting and finishing by Old Trafford. It is easily the biggest half marathon in the region, with the 2024 event welcoming over 24,000 participants.
Since its launch in 2016, the course has received rave reviews from participants, thanks to its professional delivery, flat route and amazing support from crowds around the course.
If you’d like to donate, you can visit Ella’s JustGiving page here: https://www.justgiving.com/page/ella-roberts
