A doctor is donning a wedding dress to run Sunday’s Great Manchester Run to raise money for a charity that offers free weddings to the terminally ill.
Daniel Tucker, 27, from Blackpool, works at Victoria Hospital but will tackle the 10km course in bridal attire in aid of the charity Gift of a Wedding.
The idea was put to him by work colleague and Gift of a Wedding charity patron Dr Victoria Galvis.
While Daniel jovially took up the offer, he has since realised it could prove trickier than first thought.
“I’m hoping the dress I get given isn’t too long,” Daniel told MM. “Otherwise I might need a whole team of bridesmaids to run behind me carrying my ‘tail’.
“Hopefully it will be quite airy and not impede the actual running too much, if nothing else I’m sure it will get a few laughs from the other runners and spectators alike.
“I haven’t practiced running in one, I don’t have the confidence to start running around Blackpool in a wedding dress!”
Although running in a wedding dress may see him become the butt of a few jokes this weekend, Daniel is more than happy to play the fool in order to support his friend Victoria’s charity.
“She been a good friend and mentor to me as a more senior doctor during the early part of my training and I wanted to take this opportunity to repay the favour,” he said.
Usually more comfortable cycling than running, Daniel did a full 10km run in preparation of the big event last weekend and was happy with his performance.
The biggest concern for Daniel, who will be cheered on by friends and family, leading up to the day is how others will navigate his dress in what promises to be a packed field of runners.
“I’m expecting it to be busy very congested so hopefully I don’t trip over anyone or my dress,” he added. “Or for that matter I hope no-one trips over me.
“Hopefully Victoria will be there to watch with her husband and maybe some other members of the charity.
“It’s always nice to have support especially right at the end to spur you on to the finish.”
Daniel aims to raise £1,000 for Gift of a Wedding, to make a donation visitwww.mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/drdaniel or to find out more about Gift of a Wedding visit www.giftofawedding.org/.
