A prison governor from North Somerset has signed up to take part in Weston Hospicecare’s Mendip Challenge to support the charity and as part of a personal year long challenge.
Suzy, aged 53, is an experienced trailer and ultra-marathon runner and will be taking on the 30-mile Mendip Challenge course starting from Wells.
Having only discovered the Mendip Challenge in 2018 she has decided to take part once more to support the hospice and use the opportunity to eat away at her 2019 challenge of covering 1,000 trail miles.
She said: “This is a great charity to support. I love events that have a choice of distance and a mix of walkers and runners as being non-competitive makes it a great atmosphere where everyone helps each other along. I have pledged to do 1,000 trail miles this year and this will add to my total nicely. The route is really varied and challenging.
“I will be doing this alone although I know two other people taking part. I like to keep my own pace and use the opportunity to chat people I have never met before.
“I only discovered this event last year, it was great fun. Really hot but the support was excellent.
“Every community needs this service. The people who work in this field are absolute angels and we should never underestimate what value they are to their community. Who knows when any of us or our loved ones will need to use them?”
The Mendip Challenge, which will take place on Sunday 2 June this year, is Weston Hospicecare’s flagship fundraising event and last year raised more than £66,000. Participants are challenged to complete their choice of a 10, 20 or 30-mile route following the West Mendip Way across the Mendip Hills to raise money for the hospice.
It costs £4.2million each year to run the hospice and only 20% of this figure is provided by the NHS meaning £3.4million must be raised through shop sales, donations and revenue generated through fundraising activities and events.
It costs £15 for adults and £10 for children to enter the challenge and this price includes a free training programme, transport from registration to appropriate starting point, a finisher’s medal and entry to the after party which will take place at Weston Cricket Club.
To sign up and for more information on the Mendip Challenge, visit westonhospicecare.org.uk/mendip/.