26 runners raise over £20,000 for Saint Francis Hospice at Brentwood Half Marathon

A team of twenty-six hospice supporters joined thousands of runners as they ran through the Essex countryside to raise almost £20,000 specialist end-of-life care in the local community.

Staff and volunteers from Saint Francis Hospice, which is part of the organizing consortium for the Brentwood Half Marathon, came out in force to cheer on their supporters, many of whom were running in memory of loved ones.  

“We are incredibly proud that Saint Francis Hospice is part of the organising consortium for the Matchroom Brentwood Half Marathon and honoured to be one of the local community charities benefiting from this fantastic event,” said Charlotte Winder, Fundraising Events Manager, Saint Francis Hospice.

“This weekend’s race was a tremendous success, thanks to our inspiring runners, dedicated volunteers, and the unwavering generosity of our amazing community. We are truly grateful to everyone who helped make it happen.” 

The sunshine made for ideal running conditions, and supporters lined the course to cheer on participants as they made their way through the picturesque Essex countryside.

Ben, who is a long-time supporter of the hospice, has completed many Brentwood Half Marathons, long with other endurance events, to raise vital funds in memory of his dad, who received care from Saint Francis Hospice in 1997.  

This year he took on the 13.1?mile challenge dressed as Frankie the Lion, the hospice mascot.

“The Brentwood half is a brilliant event and I have done it every year for a long time” said Ben. “Running as Frankie was probably one of my stupidest ideas to date. Hot, sweaty, restrictive, no vision, limited hearing and no peripheral vision at all. Apart from that it was dandy.” 

Peter Salter and his daughter Abbie took part in the event for the very first time, running in memory of Lisa, a much?loved wife and mother who was cared for by Saint Francis Hospice. Peter, Abbie and her sister Beckie have been fundraising as part of their ongoing tribute to Lisa’s life and the support the family received.

“It was so important to us to give something back to the team at Saint Francis for the wonderful care of Lisa and our family and friends, and the Brentwood Half Marathon seemed the perfect event for this,” said Peter.? 

?“We are a close family, with close friends, but the training, including the Saturday?Parkruns, has meant?we’ve?spent even more time together. More time for us to talk, have some fun, remember Lisa, and the reasons we were taking on this challenge.???

“The day itself was?absolutely fantastic,?great?atmosphere and?definitely a?day we will all remember. I know Lisa would be so proud.?

?“A big thank you to our Run4Lisa team for the?hard work?and the fundraising and a huge thank you to all our family and friends who have supported and generously contributed to the fundraising.”? 

“Running for Saint Francis Hospice feels like a real privilege, it’s my way of helping other families like mine,” said Tamara McCallum, whose mum is under the care of the hospice. 

“I ran today to raise money and awareness for a local charity that is very close to our family’s heart,” said Jamie Kelly. 

“We sadly lost a family member a couple of years ago, so this was a meaningful opportunity to honour them. Raising funds, enjoying the sunshine and hopefully making a real difference for a fantastic hospice.” 

“I’m running for Saint Francis Hospice today because of the care they gave to a good friend of mine,” Mitchell Wilson.  

“They provided such dignified support in his final days. I’d really encourage others to run for the hospice too. It’s a great cause and the encouragement on the day reminds you that you’re doing it for the people they’ve cared for.”

“You get a real sense of community, it’s helped us through what we’ve been through,” said Tyler Willis. 

“The training and the group support have made a huge difference.”