St Luke's Hospice launches Sheffield running challenge to raise funds for home care services

Home Run challenges people to run 13 miles over the course of March and raise vital sponsorship funds to help the charity continue caring for hundreds of people across Sheffield in their own homes.

The hospice’s community nurses each travel an average 13 miles every two days to reach patients and provide support to families in homes across Sheffield.

Head of fundraising Joasia Lesniak said: “We’ve all been spending more time at home over the past year and this has led many people to discover a new love of running.

“So take on our Home Run to have some fun and set yourself a goal. Once you’ve completed the challenge, and collected all your sponsorship money, then you can sit back and wait for a medal.”

While regular runners might go the full distance in one run, others might spread the distance over a few days with shorter runs or even walks – making it accessible for people of all ages and all abilities.

Runners can plot their own routes and schedules – following all current government coronavirus social distancing guidelines – to finish the challenge by March 28.

All money raised will make a huge difference to people across Sheffield living with a terminal illness.

Joasia said: “Our specialist palliative and end of life care reaches people in their own homes all over the city.

“For many of our patients, that is where they want to be cared for as it provides familiarity, comfort and reassurance.”

She added: “Our community care can help with pain relief and stabilising medications, deliver tailored food parcels, and help patients to build their strength and feel as well as possible so they can enjoy precious time with family and friends.

“All of our care and support is without charge to those who need it but with Government funding covering just 25 per cent of our running costs, we rely on sponsorship money from events like the Home Run to help us raise the remaining £7.5million needed each year.”

For full details of how to take part in the Home Run, go to www.stlukeshospice.org.uk/support/home-run.

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