Liam Boyall, 33, from Armthorpe, works in the Procurement team at Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals (DBTH) Trust and will tackle the famous half marathon in Newcastle on 13 September.
Liam decided to take on the challenge following the care his grandad, Malcolm, received on the Gresley Unit at Doncaster Royal Infirmary (DRI) before he passed away.
During his grandad’s two-week-stay on the Gresley Unit, Liam and his family were able to remain close to him and spend precious time together.
Liam, who has worked at the Trust for 13 years, said: “The team were really accommodating to us as a family. There would often be a good number of us there at any one time and that was completely fine.
“It helped us to be there for my grandad until the end and meant we all got to spend as much time as we could with him.”
Following his grandad’s death, Liam decided to honour him by entering the ballot for the Great North Run – but he didn’t think he’d get in.
Liam said: “To my utter shock I received an email confirming my entry. Reality hit that it was actually happening.”
Having picked up running in 2025 as a way to get fit, Liam describes his love of running as ‘all-consuming’.
He said: “Running has really helped me both mentally and physically. I feel as though it has helped me become the fittest I’ve been since leaving school.
“It has ended up being all-consuming in my daily life.”
The fundraiser also has a personal connection to DBTH stretching back many years, with both of Liam’s parents having worked at the Trust on the Frailty Ward and in the Trust’s laboratories.
Liam said: “I have seen first-hand the great work that goes on daily within our trust and what a difference contributions to our charity can make to patients and staff.
Adrian Petts, Head of DBTH Charity, said: “We’re incredibly grateful to Liam for taking on the Great North Run in support of DBTH Charity and the Gresley Unit.
“Liam’s reasons for fundraising are very personal, and it’s wonderful that he has chosen to give something back in memory of his grandad and in recognition of the care his grandad received.
“Taking on a half marathon is no small challenge, and we’ll all be cheering Liam on in September. Every pound he raises will help us continue to enhance the care and experiences of patients, families and colleagues across our hospitals.”
Speaking about his grandad, Liam said: “He was a caring and loving family man. I always remember him smiling and being happy.”
Malcolm was a keen sportsman and photographer, having played cricket and bowls, as well as taking photos at family events and on his travels.
Liam said: “He was always there for us all.”
When he is not training or working, Liam spends much of his spare time with his two-year-old daughter, Esmae, including regular trips to see her favourite dinosaurs at the Yorkshire Wildlife Park, as well as fitting in a round of golf whenever he can.
Liam will join thousands of runners on the start line for the Great North Run on 13 September, with the money he raises helping Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals (DBTH) Charity to enhance care and experiences for patients, families and colleagues.
To support Liam and find out more about his Great North Run challenge, visit his fundraising page: https://fundraise.dbthcharity.co.uk/fundraisers/liamboyall/great-north-run
