Dad of two set to run 100 miles in aid of hospices

A dad of two from Urmston, is set to run 100 miles over four days – visiting ten north west hospices to raise awareness and valuable funds for the specialist care they provide.

Martin Foster, 38, works as programme lead for GM Hospices and he is all too aware of the invaluable role hospices play in providing a holistic approach to palliative and end of life care.

That insight and knowledge that, the ten hospices have to raise £20 million a year to continue providing care, spurred him on to come up with his very special challenge.

Martin said: “People have a preconceived idea about what hospices are like, and I have to admit I did too before I worked in this sector.  It’s an expectation that they’re really sad places and only exist to support those who need care at the very end of their life.  But, while obviously there are very sad times there’s so much more goes on too.

“Patients are cared for right through their journey and there’s a whole range of services that local people simply wouldn’t have access to if hospices didn’t exist.  They rely heavily on their communities fundraising, and having worked so closely with them I just had to put my trainers on and do my bit to support them.”

Martin will set off on his challenge from Derian House Children’s Hospice on March 29 and will run 40km every day visiting each of the other hospices in the area – Bolton, Bury, Dr Kershaw’s, East Cheshire, Francis House Children’s Hospice, Springhill, St Ann’s, Wigan and Leigh, and Willow Wood.

Home stretch

On Martin’s last day he will be calling in at Francis House before ending his epic run on April 1, at Piccadilly Place in Manchester city centre.

Martin began his training six months ago and is looking forward to seeing his wife Lucy, 38, and children Freddie, 5 and Tilly, 2, waiting for him on the finish line on April 1, along with colleagues and friends from some of the hospices he has visited on his run.

He said: “I used to run before my children were born but haven’t really done much since.  I’m a bit nervous about the scale of the challenge and how my body will feel to be honest, as I’ve never really put it through anything like this.

“After the first day we’re in uncharted territory, but I’m hoping that the support of the hospice staff and patients I see on route will really spur me on – as will the knowledge that all the money raised will be split between the local hospices and hopefully help them make a difference to people’s lives.

“I can imagine I’ll feel quite emotional when I get to the end to be honest.  It’s been a lot of hard work and long hours to get to this point, and I know there are lots of people cheering me on.  Any of us could need hospice care or know someone who will at some point in their life, so if local people could spare even a couple of pounds in sponsorship, I’d be hugely grateful.

“It would mean so much to patients across Greater Manchester, and it would help me continue putting one tired foot in front of the other for the 100 miles too.  Thanks in advance for your support.”