Rowcroft Hospice is an incredible charity, supporting those suffering from life-limiting illnesses and their families, at home or at Rowcroft itself free of charge. Staff dedicate themselves to supporting others, giving specialist nursing care to over 2,500 people each year.

Through my work at Buckfast Abbey, I have met many of these wonderful staff and heard stories from the loved ones of those who have benefited from everything Rowcroft has to offer. As I get older and begin to lose some of those dear to me, the efforts of Hospices like Rowcroft become even more of an inspiration.

As a keen runner, approaching my 50th birthday, I felt that I needed a special challenge to mark this milestone. An inspiring first competitive run abroad in Palma Majorca was the catalyst for this goal and if all goes well, I will be returning back to Majorca to compete in my 50th half marathon just days after my 50th birthday. In order to achieve this, I will need to run a half marathon nearly every week. A few of these will be competitive runs but the majority will be just me, Devon lanes and 13.1 miles (and this winter, a headtorch!)