The close friend of a woman who received “wonderful” Ashgate Hospice care is running the Chesterfield 10K in her memory.
Helen Hadley started volunteering at the hospice’s reception in Old Brampton, Chesterfield, after her friend Margaret Umney died in March last year, aged just 44.
She will be one of hundreds of runners taking to the streets on Sunday 24 March for the event, sponsored by the Redbrik Foundation.
Helen, 45, from New Whittington, hopes to raise as much as she can for the charity, which cared for Margaret at home, allowing her to fulfil her wish of dying at home with her family by her side.
The route will start and finish in Queen’s Park and will see runners embark on a journey around the heart of Chesterfield, heading past landmarks including the town’s famous Crooked Spire.
Runners of all abilities – as well as volunteers – are being urged to sign up for the event.
Helen said: “When I ran the Chesterfield 10K a couple of years ago, Margaret was one of my biggest supporters; she was always sending me positive messages.
“It only seemed fitting to run the event this year in her memory. The hospice did such a wonderful job of caring for Margaret; the team at Ashgate ensured she was able to be at home with her husband Dan, and children Ellie, Shannon and Lewis.
“Being able to raise funds towards the charity’s care is definitely a big added bonus for me.”
Ashgate Hospice has once again been announced as one of the Chesterfield 10K’s charity partners, and participants are being encouraged to sign up and fundraise to help fund the charity’s vital end of life services.
Taking part will help people like Margaret, from New Whittington, who was diagnosed with breast cancer five years before she died.
She spent years undergoing intense treatment until she was told nothing more could be done.
Helen added: “The hospice is a place that so many of us are all too familiar with and has played a part in ours or someone that we know’s life.
“Volunteering there, I get to witness first hand, the amazing work that the team do. They receive less than 40% of their funding from the government, so every single pound makes an enormous difference.”
Other participants include David Hudson, from Wingerworth, who will have his parents, Brian and Elizabeth, on his mind whilst taking on the event, after they died in 2002, just four months apart.
He hopes to raise £500 towards the hospice’s care in their memory.
“My father passed away after being diagnosed with bowel cancer,” said David. “I love hearing people’s stories about how they have coped with cancer and this has inspired me to raise money for Ashgate Hospice.
“It’s an amazing charity that does amazing things for sick people, including those who have cancer. I think my parents would love the work does Ashgate for people in the community if they were still with us.”
Entry into the 2024 Redbrik Foundation Chesterfield 10K costs £25 per person. Participants can also choose to purchase a t-shirt for an additional £10.
Would you like to take part? To enter, please visit the event’s website.
Volunteers are also needed at the event to help with marshalling and with bag collection – anyone who is able to help is asked to complete this form https://ashgatehospice.org.uk/event-volunteer-sign-up/ or contact Ashgate Hospice’s events team.
If you have any questions about this event, please email Ashgate Hospice’s events team at events@ashgatehospice.org.uk.
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