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By Andrew Brown Stand Up For Southport
A postie from Southport is getting ready to take on a 100-mile Ultra challenge to raise funds for the Elsie’s Story charity.
Jackie Taylor works at Royal Mail where she is a colleague of one of three young girls who were killed in the Southport tragedy in July last year.
Despite not being an elite runner, Jackie said she “didn’t have to think twice” about taking on the gruelling challenge on Saturday 5th April 2025.
Jackie has already raised over £500 for Elsie’s Story, with people able to donate here: Jackie Taylor is fundraising for Elsie’s Story
The 44-year-old Mum of three is married with three children (a 24-year-old son with two daughters aged 22 and 17), with her family supporting her on her journey.
Jackie said: “I’m running my first 100 mile ultra in less than three weeks’ time!
“I’m running to raise money for Elsie’s story. Elsie’s dad is a colleague of mine and I didn’t have to think twice before wanting to choose them to raise money for.
“I’m not an elite or fast runner, I’m a normal runner – well as normal as you can get running 100 miles.
“I am a 44-year-old wanting to challenge myself and see how far I can push my limits.
“I have never done anything like this before but I really want to raise as much awareness for this charity.”
The remarkable 100-mile Chester Ultra takes in some of the best trails in the region along the Sandstone Trail, the Marches Way (beside the River Dee), Helsby Hill, Frodsham, Beeston Castle, Delamere Forest and the Bridgewater Canal. It includes 1,590m of ascent and 12 checkpoints en route.
Jackie said: “I started running eight years ago. It was mainly road running, working my way up to 10ks and half marathon distances.
“Soon after I started to run in the pinewoods and really enjoyed the trails compared to the roads and streets.
“In 2018 I did my first marathon, running around the coastal path of Holyhead.
“I was in love and a few months later did my first 50k ultra around the Yorkshire moors.
“Since then I’ve completed 15 marathons and seven ultra marathons.
“The further distance I have done is 52 miles.
“I’m an average runner and love to run with my friends taking on many adventures in the trails.
“After falling at a race last June and hurting my ribs I had to take a couple of months off running.
“Since then I’ve been building back up my fitness and strength and in December started my training for this 100 mile Ultra.
“Training is going really well and I’ve had amazing support from my running friends and others who are running their first 100 mile race at the same event.
“Every Sunday I’m out of the house pretty much all day travelling to do some part of the Chester route to learn it as much as I can.
“I’m lucky I have a very supportive and understanding husband.“Although training has gone well it’s not been easy.
“With my job I’m on my feet and walk a lot so I’ve had to get the balance right so I’m not exhausted.
“With the race being just weeks away now, I’ve done the biggest and hardest part of my training.“My work colleague and his wife lost their beautiful daughter to an horrific attack.
“In her memory, their Elsie’s Story charity will be a huge support to young people and others in the community.”
Elsie’s story was launched last year in memory of Elsie Dot Stancombe, who was seven years old when she was one of three young girls killed at The Hart Space in Southport on 29th July 2024.
When they launched Elsie’s Story, her parents, Jenni and Dave Stancombe said: “We want to continue Elsie’s ‘story’; her positivity, love for others and energy of life…..
“The Trust has been established with the principle objective being to make grants to causes in Elsie’s name, the focus of which will be assistance to young people and support for others in the community and across the region.
“This will include community projects, medical care and support for individuals and families, good causes involving fun, and bringing the community together.”
“Elsie was the most caring and generous little girl and we have promised to not let this awful tragedy be in vain and creating this trust is the start of this.”
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