Two friends will put one foot in front of the other 25,000 times when they take on two half marathons to raise vital funds to support patients receiving end of life care at East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust (ESNEFT).
Karen Hobbs and Abi Shirley will tackle the Colchester Half Marathon on 21 May and its Ipswich counterpart on 17 September in aid of Colchester & Ipswich Hospitals Charity.
The money they raise will be donated to the end of life care fund and cancer information centres at both hospitals, which support patients and their loved ones at a difficult and emotional time.
Karen, who is clinical project lead for end of life at ESNEFT, said: “Sadly, both Abi and I lost our dads far too early and have personally experienced the pain and challenges of cancer and end of life care. The end of life fund and cancer information centres offer invaluable support at what is one of the most difficult and emotional times a person and family can experience.
“All of the money we raise will contribute to initiatives like the Butterfly Volunteers, who sit with patients so they are alone at the end of their life, as well as helping to pay for services offered at the cancer information centres, such as counselling.
“Running certainly is no walk in the park for us, but knowing that we can maybe do some good from our hobby will help us get over the finish line.”
Anyone who would like to support Karen and Abi’s marathon efforts can visit their Just Giving page.
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