Amazing grandmother who is still running at 85 appears in the latest adidas advertising campaign

An amazing Greater Manchester grandmother who still laces up her trainers at the age of 85 to raise funds for the hospice which cared for her sister is starring in the latest advert by sportswear giant adidas.

Barbara Thackray, from Altrincham, appears in the ad by the globally-known leisurewear name alongside runners from all over the globe and sports stars such as Liverpool football striker Mo Salah.

The team making the advert for adidas came to Knutsford in Cheshire to film Barbara running after she was picked for her positive attitude and dedication to the pastime. She started getting her running shoes on in her late 70s to raise money for St Ann’s Hospice which looked after her sister Audrey. As part of her appearance in the advert adidas made a donation to the charity.

Who is Barbara Thackray and why is she in the latest adidas advert?

Barbara Thackray only took up running at the age of 77 but has been supporting St Ann’s Hospice, which supports patients with life-limiting illnesses from sites in Heald Green, Stockport and Salford. Her sister Audrey was looked after at the hospice before she died and Barbara wanted to give something back to the organisation for the excellent care Audrey received there.

So far she has raised around £20,000 for the hospice and her headline-grabbing exploits running well into her 80s have also helped to raise awareness of its work.

Barbara ran the Altrincham 10k and was the fastest in her age group, crossing the line in 90 minutes, and her most recent outing was at the Trafford 10k on her 85th birthday. Appropriately she took 85 minutes (one hour and 25 minutes) to complete the course. More than 20 members of her family came to support her at the race, with two relatives crossing the finishing line with her.

Barbara’s achievements attracted the attention of adidas for its latest running campaign, which celebrates the accessibility and lack of equipment that runners need to get started in the sport.

The sportswear giant scouted her to take part after being impressed by her dedication to her chosen pastime and her positivity. A film crew travelled to Knutsford to meet her and get the footage of her running which appears towards the end of the advert.

Barbara said: “Being in the adidas campaign has empowered me with my running to continue improving my fitness, all kinds of walks are easier for me now. I’m glad that the filming I did and being in the finished ad for adidas has increased support for St Ann’s Hospice.

“It was amazing being there, I never knew so many people were part of making an advert – I felt like I was on a film set!”

St Ann’s Hospice has also benefited from a donation by adidas as part of Barbara’s appearance in the advert, which features runners from a wide variety of backgrounds and ability levels and has a star cameo from Mo Salah, one of the world’s most recognisable football strikers.

What else has been said about Barbara’s running and support for the hospice?

Barbara said she was glad to have found running as a way to keep fit as she has walked much of her life, and said other pensioners should not think age is a barrier to getting their trainers on.

She said: “My message to anyone of a similar age considering starting running is to begin gently and listen to your body.”

The hospice has also expressed its gratitude to Barbara for her fund-raising and awareness-raising efforts. Lucy Leeming, the fund-raising manager, said: “The awareness Barbara has raised across Greater Manchester for the importance and vitality of St Ann’s Hospice has undeniably helped raise funds and awareness for our charity. Her passion and dedication to towards our charity shines through in everything she does for us, we’re so grateful to have her support.”

Barbara has a JustGiving page for the hospice if you would like to donate and support her. Watch Barbara in the advert on YouTube here.