Hi, my name is Mel and I am a palliative care doctor at Dougie Mac Hospice in Stoke on Trent. I am hugely proud to be part of the amazing team at Dougie Mac - the work the hospice does is so important, now more than ever.

Dougie Mac offers specialised palliative care for people over the age of 18 who have a life limiting illness where a cure is no longer possible, helping around 3500 people and their families across Stoke on Trent and North Staffordshire every year.

During the first COVID-19 lockdown it dawned on me that at a time when we all need to be taking better care of ourselves, both mentally and physically, I was probably the most unfit I had ever been. If I was going to be able to be there for our Dougie Mac patients, I needed to take better care of myself as well.

So what to do?  As a doctor, I am well aware of the importance of a healthy diet and regular exercise but I confess I have in reality spent my life avoiding most forms of physical activity, driven by a deep loathing of PE lessons in my school days, and joint problems of my own. Then I heard the comedian Sarah Millican promoting the Public Health England Couch to 5K app on the radio. It sounded interesting and I could easily identify with Sarah as a non-athlete, so something in me thought if she can do it … 

One day I pulled on a pair of old trainers, plugged in some headphones, and gave it a go, simply by running laps of my back garden!  10 weeks on and I proudly completed Couch to 5K. I could genuinely keep running for 30 minutes and I felt healthier and happier.

That was back in the summer and I am proud to say, against all odds I am still running regularly for the first time in my adult life, managing 3 or 4 half hour runs most weeks. I would almost go as far as to say I now look forward to running!  

Now the hospice has launched The Dougie Mac 5K My Way event and this is my opportunity to take part in my first official sponsored 5K event. I can't wait to see what I can achieve but more importantly I hope to raise some much needed funds for Dougie Mac. Please support me - believe me, I could never have done this 12 months ago!

For more information please visit 

http://www.dmhospice.org.uk/5K