My Aunt Rita has been a resident of Bethany Homestead Care Home for just over a year now. She has learning difficulties and recently celebrated her 70th birthday. Bethany looks after her fantastically well, helps her to feel safe and, under normal circumstances, is able to keep her well occupied with lots of activities, treats and things to do.

Unfortunately, the protective measures Care Homes have all had to implement since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic means that much of what the Home normally does has stopped and residents have been largely confined to their own rooms. Visits by family and friends have also had to cease. The Home has done all it can to facilitate communication with loved ones through WhatsApp and Facetime but inevitably emotional contact and support is limited. These restrictions are likely to continue for some time even as things start to ease for the rest of the population.

I would like to raise a small amount of money for the Home to use now and post-pandemic to soften the impact of what must really tough circumstances for residents. It might be some material to deliver an activity with, a contribution towards a trip out (when guidance allows), some special food one weekend or perhaps some extra communication devices for the residents of the Home. The staff will know best how to use the funding raised.

So, to encourage donations I have set myself a challenge. On the summer solstice weekend (21st June) I am going to run 4.16miles, every hour, on the hour, for 24 hours, thus completing 100miles.

Thank you for reading this far and thank you in advance if you feel able to donate.