I have made a last-minute decision to run this Sunday’s London Marathon for Sobell House Hospice in Oxford.

In my job, I get to meet a lot of amazing organisations making a real difference. But until this week, I had never visited a hospice.

3 things inspired me about Sobell House:

1) Its work is relevant to most people in Oxford – nearly two thirds of adults in Oxford interact with the hospice at some point in their lives.

2) It's amazing – the staff I met are extraordinary, from palliative care doctors and nurses to the occupational health and admin team, everyone is committed to helping people live the best lives they can and, when the time comes, to have the best death possible. From the gardens to the family rooms, and study centre, they are offering the best possible facilities,

3) They need funding – they have only ever been part-funded by government/NHS, and need fundraising including from runners, to deliver the services they do.

Even if you can’t sponsor me (I’ve asked often enough!), please do find out about the work of Sobell House, and the hospice movement more generally. https://sobellhouse.org