Former Manx Grand Prix rider Gail Griffiths (nee Musson) is running 100 laps of Noble’s Hospital service road to raise funds for local DHSC staff.

Before retiring from motorcycle racing in 2006, Gail was already one of the island’s leading distance runners.

She has continued to represent the island on numerous occasions at events such as the Island Games and Lancashire Cross-Country Championships.

Gail has also competed at international level with success in World Masters events.

The main aim of the sponsored runs is to raise cash to help purchase more comfortable chairs and surroundings for hardworking DHSC and emergency ambulance staff at the Douglas, Ramsey and Ballasalla stations.

’It includes the purchase of essentials like TVs or coffee machines, toasters and fridges, plus a selection of refreshments, or even simply paying for the rooms to be repainted,’ said Gail.

She was inspired by Second World War veteran Captain Tom Moore who recently celebrated 100th birthday by walking the length of his garden 100 times over a period of weeks.

Gail’s challenge will also be staggered over a total of four weeks, starting outside the former Accident & Emergency entrance (currently the coronavirus assessment treatment unit).

She started a week last Sunday, April 26 on what would have been her grandad Atkin’s 100th birthday had he still been alive. He was an RAF pilot during WWII.

Gail intends to complete 100 laps by May 25, doing laps on her work days either before or after her shift as a housekeeper at the hospital, where she has worked for the last 15 years.

’Each lap is approximately 1,400 metres long [slightly less than one mile] and I’m doing between 10 and 12 laps each Sunday, five or six laps Monday and Wednesday, and three laps on each of the Fridays.’

The circuit takes in Newlands, the ambulance HQ, laundry, Hospice IoM, Keyll Darree Education Centre and the helipad. Gail’s lap times vary from between 6min 15sec to eight minutes, depending which day (Sundays are quicker than Mondays!).

She is trying to stick close to her planned training schedule set by coach Andy Fox.

’I have seen how hard our DHSC and ambulance service work under enormous stress, but coronavirus is a huge burden on us all.

’I know that there are areas at Noble’s that are quiet, relaxing and comfortable for staff to enjoy a bit of downtime on breaks with space, somewhere they can perhaps recline for a quick 40 winks or even a massage chair!

’I wanted to give something back to the staff that helped me regain my health after suffering acute kidney disease last summer. Their help has got me back to running with a chance to hopefully go and retain my World Masters silver medal at 5,000 metres.

’My aim at the moment is to be back in the British Masters Cross-Country team for the championships in Dublin this November, having won the British title for my age group in 2017, along with IoM Sport’s veteran of the year award, but it remains to be seen whether the selection race will take place at Derby in October.’

l Gail is well on her way to raising her first £500.

Go to her JustGiving page via Gail’s Facebook page for more information.