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Hospiscare Heroes: From Marathons to a Memory Tree

Our Hospiscare Heroes are nothing short of remarkable.

Every week, our Hospiscare Heroes go above and beyond to support our charity, raising vital funds so we can continue to provide expert care for patients and their families when they need us most.

Let’s take a closer look at some of the inspiring ways these extraordinary individuals have shown their support…

Swapping a marathon overseas, for a challenge on home soil 

Mat’s journey proves that determination truly has no limits – or kilometres in his case! Covering an astonishing 650 km, Mat has turned a setback into an inspiring adventure.

Originally training for the 2025 Marathon des Sables, Mat was forced to withdraw due to a medical condition affecting his insurance. But instead of letting this stop him, Mat dreamt up a new and ambitious goal instead: running a loop of the South West Coast Path, the Tamara Coast to Coast Way, and other scenic trails.

Balancing his challenge with a busy work schedule, Mat tackled the route over 17 weekends. As well as the excruciating miles covered, each leg involved 4am starts, navigating public transport, and enduring the unpredictable British weather.

“This challenge started with a simple training run that spiralled out of control; think Forrest Gump!” Mat said. “After some encouragement, I realised this personal challenge was also worthy of sponsorship, so I decided to go public and ask for donations.”

Mat’s efforts are nothing short of extraordinary. Not only did he conquer his epic challenge, but he also raised over £1,000 for Hospiscare.

A huge thank you to Mat – and to HM Tower of London Residents – for their incredible support!

If you’d like to help make Mat’s miles count even more, please visit his JustGiving page.

 

A unique way to celebrate a ‘big’ birthday

What better way to mark a milestone than by making a difference? For her “big” 40th birthday, Kat decided to run the Amsterdam Marathon for Hospiscare.

Kat described her journey as “plodding with purpose,” driven by fond memories of her dear friend Mark (better known as Popsy) and a heartfelt determination to make a positive impact. Crossing the finish line in an impressive 4 hours and 44 minutes, Kat raised a fantastic £965 for Hospiscare.

Thank you, Kat, for running with so much heart and helping us be there for local families in their time of need.

If you wish to show your support for Kat’s cause, please visit her JustGiving page.

 

Introducing our star baker: Max

At just 10 years old, Max showed that no one is ever too young to get involved and make a difference. Inspired by the care his grandad received at Searle House, Max rolled up his sleeves and set out to combine his passion for baking with a desire to give back to the people who were there for his grandad and his family.

Max’s ambitious plan involved baking 300 cookies – hoping for a donation of £1 per cookie, with all the proceeds going to Hospiscare. Not only did Max exceed his fundraising goal, raising an amazing £683.29, but he also donated some of his delicious cookies to a local homeless charity as well.

Thank you Max, for showing great kindness, creativity, and drive – you’re a shining example of what it means to be a Hospiscare Hero!

You can support Max’s efforts on his JustGiving page.

 

100 miles for 100 years

Long-time Hospiscare supporter Nicky has taken on some amazing challenges over the years, from the Twilight Walk to a Himalayan Trek. This year, she embarked on a heartfelt mission in memory of her mum, Peggy, who would have turned 100 on the 6 September.

To mark the occasion, Nicky walked 100 miles in September, raising an impressive £770 for Hospiscare in the process.

Thank you, Nicky, for honouring your mum’s legacy and helping us continue to provide compassionate care to others in need.

Unlocking the power of a cuppa

A big thank you to the Exmouth and Lympstone Friends of Hospiscare, who collectively raised over £900 at Amanda and Linda’s coffee morning, which took place at the Exmouth Rugby Club.

Your fundraising efforts demonstrate the incredible power of community – thank you so much to everyone who came along and showed their support.

Our bright and beautiful Memory Tree

Finally, a special thank you goes to Mandy from Acorn Recruitment for keeping our Memory Tree at Searle House polished and gleaming. This beautiful tree serves as a touching tribute to loved ones lost, and Mandy’s efforts ensure it remains as bright as the memories it represents.

Thank you, Mandy, and Acorn Recruitment, for your generosity and diligent care.

Thank You to All Our Hospiscare Heroes

On behalf of our staff, volunteers, patients, and their families, we want to express our heartfelt gratitude to every one of our Hospiscare Heroes. From marathons to baking, and from walking to polishing, your efforts – big or small – make a huge difference.

We love hearing your fundraising stories, so please keep sharing them with us on social media!

Ready to become a Hospiscare Hero? Visit our fundraising page to get started.