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Hospice Appeals for Marathon Runners

 

August 16, 2010

Runners pounding the pavements in preparation for this October’s Birmingham Half Marathon are being urged to consider running for their local hospice. 

Birmingham St Mary’s is appealing to athletes across the City to run in aid of the charity which provides vital palliative care to people with life-limiting illnesses. 

The EDF Birmingham Half Marathon takes place on Sunday, October 24, and the Hospice hopes scores, if not more, will support it when they don their trainers. 

Hospice Head of Fundraising Caroline Taylor said running the half marathon was a great way to support the charity. 

“We’re looking to put a large team of runners in to Birmingham Half Marathon, so I would like to appeal to anyone, whether they are a dedicated athlete or a first-timer, to run this event in aid of the Hospice.  

“By helping raise funds for Birmingham St Mary’s you’ll be making a real difference to local people with a life-limiting illness and their families,” Caroline said. 

For further information about registering for the EDF Birmingham Half Marathon visit: www.birminghamhalfmarathon.com, or contact Community Fundraiser Charlotte Sudbury on 0121 472 1191 or charlotte.sudbury@bsmh.org.uk 

Runners should contact the Hospice as soon as they have signed up in order to receive a fundraising pack, which includes a running vest. 

Since its launch in 1979, Birmingham St Mary’s Hospice has cared for tens of thousands of people with life-limiting illnesses, such as cancer, motor neurone disease and MS.  

With around 52 percent of the Hospice’s budget reliant on public goodwill, community fundraising is crucial to ensuring its highly specialised services can continue to be offered to the people of Birmingham and Sandwell. 

In addition to a 25-bed Inpatient Unit, Birmingham St Mary’s boasts a 20-place Day Hospice and provides community care to people who wish to stay in their own homes.  

The Hospice also supports relatives with bereavement preparation, physiotherapy tuition and counselling in addition to many other services. 

Annual running costs stand at £6.3 million, with around £1 million being raised in the Hospice’s shops and £2.7 million via community fundraising events. The remainder comes from the NHS. 

Birmingham St Mary’s nurses, often referred to by patients and relatives as ‘angels’, are renowned for going that extra mile to ensure people with terminal illnesses enjoy the best possible quality of life.