Back in 2018, my partner Joanne was diagnosed with a super-rare terminal cancer. 12 months later, Jo was admitted to St. Ann’s Hospice where she was to spend her final few weeks. I was with Jo every day during her time in the hospice and saw first-hand the amazing love and care she received from the nurses, doctors and all the other support staff. 

A few days before Jo died, we watched some highlights of the London Marathon and I promised Jo that I would run my first marathon the following year, in aid of the hospice. It would be our way of saying thank you for the comfort, care and peace of mind that everyone at St Ann’s was able to provide for Jo and our way of helping the hospice to support other patients to live the best life they can, whatever the stage of their illness.

As a follow-up from running 50 half marathons in 2021, the challenge for 2023 is to complete the Manchester Marathon and secure a sub-90 at the Great Manchester Half and/or Manchester Half Marathons.

St Ann’s Hospice

For more than 50 years, St Ann’s Hospice has been providing excellent care and support to people living with or affected by life-limiting illnesses. But they now urgently need a new, purpose-built hospice. One that will provide the specialist space to care for our community today, and in the future. Without it, they run the risk of closing. They need your support to turn their plans into a reality.

Will you support me in raising vital funds for the hospice?

The purpose of St Ann's Hospice is to provide excellent care and support to people living with or affected by life-limiting illnesses. As a charity, all their services are free of charge, and to continue their work they have to raise an astonishing £20,000 each day. It is only through the generosity of local people that they are able to continue to provide the highest standard of care to patients, their families and carers.

Thank you!

You can see a log of all my runs over on:

Strava: www.strava.com/athletes/stuartsimpson

and Instagram: runforjo