On May the 4th I’m going to be trying to run 106km (2½ marathons) around the Isle of Wight as part of the Isle of Wight ultra challenge. It’s going to be hilly and exposed, and I’ve never run that far before. I honestly don’t know if I’ll make it, but I’ll be giving it my all.

I’m running it for my local hospice, St Christophers, one of the most respected in the world.

I know of families whose experience of their loved one’s death completely changed when their care moved from medicalised (let’s keep them alive at all costs!) to palliative (let’s accept this and make it as comfortable, dignified, and familiar as possible).

Even with all the progress in cancer, dementia and other treatments, at some point life will end. Enabling that end-of-life care to be compassionate, comfortable and as full of love and dignity as possible is immensely valuable.

St Christopher’s Hospice exists to promote and provide skilled and compassionate palliative care of the highest quality.

Their vision is of a world in which all dying people and those close to them have access to appropriate care and support, when they need it, wherever they need it and whoever they are.

They rely on the generosity of our community, through fundraising campaigns like this, to continue providing their specialist palliative care and family care services free of charge.

Thank you for your support.