Publish date: 19 December 2025
On a chilly day in December, Elsa Buckley, Assistant Practitioner in the ICRAS Central and South Urgent Therapy Team, achieved a remarkable personal milestone by completing her first-ever 10K run at the iconic Aintree Racecourse, home of the Grand National.
Elsa took on the challenge to raise funds for Mersey Cares, our Trust’s dedicated charity, inspired by the compassionate maternal mental health support she received from Silver Birch following a traumatic birth and a subsequent PTSD diagnosis. She credits the team with playing a vital role in her recovery, helping her navigate the challenges of early parenthood with care and expertise.
Her motivation grew after learning more about the charity’s impact through newsletters and the recent Impact Report, which highlighted the incredible difference Mersey Cares makes across Cheshire and Merseyside.
Elsa said, “I just think it’s amazing what the charity is doing to support services – and I really wanted to be part of that good work and give back. I saw the Run Aintree event as a way to do that. I took part in the 5K last year as a personal goal, and this year I thought I could challenge myself to raise funds for Mersey Cares to support others.”
Supporting recovery with running
As part of her recovery journey, Elsa discovered that running became a powerful tool to support her mental health. It helped her manage the pressures that come with parenting, providing space to clear her mind and build resilience
Ahead of the event, Elsa she shared feeling a little nervous as she attempted a distance she was working towards.
“Participating in (and hopefully completing!) this event will be a massive achievement for me,” she said. “As a previous recipient of excellent maternal mental health support from Silver Birch following the birth of my daughter Sybil, I can say the work they do lies close to my heart.”
A winning challenge at Aintree
Elsa not only completed the 10K but also surpassed her fundraising target, raising an incredible £295 for Mersey Cares. And not only that, following chatting with the charity ahead of the event, she is also keen to become a Charity Champion – an internal ambassador to help support Mersey Cares’ work and encourage fundraising within our wards, services and communities.
"Running round in the freezing and pouring rain, feet drenched and covered in mud, I couldn't help but have a big smile on my face,” she said after completing the distance.
“ Though the conditions were tough, adrenaline kicked in and I completed the 10K in 1 hour 13 minutes. My daughter is my inspiration, and I'm so grateful to all the services, friends and family who not only have supported me in my fundraising endeavour, but who have also enabled me to embrace motherhood and find joy in the little things in life."
More info
- Feeling inspired? Check out the charity’s Fundraising Challenges – perfect for teams or individuals: Register to a fundraising event
- Read more about what the charity has done to support Mersey Care services: Our Year in Action: Mersey Cares Impact Report 2024-25
- Support Elsa’s achievement with a donation: The Mersey Care NHS Charity: Elsa's 10K Fundraiser
- Learn more about becoming a Mersey Cares Charity Champion