Local runners create memories, blisters and over £3,000

United by grief and fuelled by compassion, a group of five friends from Swindon and Poole, Jecinta, Sarah, Amanda, Della and Susie, recently completed the Frankfurt Marathon to honour the memory of loved ones who received care from Prospect Hospice.

The group pushed themselves to the limit, with Susie tackling the full marathon and the other four members completing the relay race. Despite the challenging course, the team persevered, finishing with impressive times, with Susie completing the marathon in an impressive 3 hours and 3 minutes and the relay team completing it in 3 hours 56 minutes.

“This was my 12th marathon, and I had an ambition to beat my personal best which I’m delighted to have achieved,” said Susie. “We’re incredibly grateful for the unwavering support and care that Prospect Hospice provided our friends’ loved ones. We’re overwhelmed by the support we’ve received from friends and family; we can’t believe we’ve raised so much to help the hospice continue its vital work.”

Jecinta said: “The care my mum received in her last days was phenomenal, as was the support given to us, her family – nothing was too much for the Prospect team. We thought challenging ourselves to run a marathon was a great way to say thank you and to help other families in the same way Prospect helped us.”

Jane Farmery, from the Prospect Hospice Inpatient Unit (IPU) said: “This is such an amazing achievement. Our specialist clinical team was honoured to care for Jecinta’s mum, Carole at the hospice, and provide remote care for Sarah’s dad, Steve. We are so grateful we could offer support to their respective families too. The hospice is in a funding crisis at the moment and this donation could enable us to provide 14 night sits so that families can rest with peace of mind that their loved one is being well cared for. Thank you so much to Jecinta, Sarah, Amanda, Della and Susie, what an achievement!”