This year, support for St Richard’s Hospice at the Virgin Money London Marathon will be greater than ever.
On Sunday 26th April, 12 runners will be on the starting blocks hoping to raise as much money as possible for the hospice and to realise their personal ambition of completing the famous marathon.
The runners are now well into their physical and mental training schedule for the 26 mile 385 yard race, and in just two months’ time they will join thousands of fellow participants on the starting line in Greenwich Park.
Among the famous runners on the starting line will be women’s marathon world-record holder Paula Radcliffe who will be taking part in her final race before retiring from the sport.
Worcester runners Luke Hamilton-Jones and Jeremy Jones, together with Mike Anstey, from Malvern, Nick Graham and Mark Petheram have secured places through St Richard’s Hospice’s five Golden Bond scheme places, while Russ Barnes, from Kidderminster, Lynda Broadway, from Malvern, Colin Baker, from Droitwich, Jane Evans, from Solihull, Simon Purfield, from Evesham, Shelley Beard, and Amy Stephens have secured independent places for the event.
Each will be running in memory of a loved one and raising money to help the hospice offer compassionate care to patients with life-threatening illnesses and support their families.
Jodi Brandwood, Community Fundraiser at St Richard’s Hospice, said; “The London Marathon is a high profile and prestigious event and it is always a delight to cheer on all the runners, especially those who are taking part in memory of someone dear to them. This year there are more runners than ever raising money for St Richard’s Hospice. Some are veteran marathon runners and others will be taking on the personal challenge for the first time. We are very grateful for their support and wish them all the very best.”
To make a donation to help St Richard’s Hospice provide compassionate care visitwww.justgiving.com/strichards
St Richard’s Hospice provides free specialist palliative care for patients living with life-threatening illnesses and supports their families. Each year the hospice team supports over 2,500 patients and family members in Worcestershire with compassion, kindness, dignity and respect.
Patients are cared for in Day Hospice, the 17-bed In-patient Unit or in their own homes by a specialist professional team as well as many trained volunteers.
In the In-patient Unit, specialist staff are on hand 24 hours a day to manage patients’ symptoms and where, if appropriate, patients may spend the last few days of life in comfort and dignity. St Richard’s is an independent charity and is grateful for all donations to help it to continue its work.
Photo: Russ Barnes, who took part in the 2014 marathon, will be supporting St Richard’s Hospice again in 2015.