Joggers jingled all the way for Hospiscare

Toddlers in tinsel and trail runners in Santa hats joined forces to raise funds for Hospiscare yesterday at the charity’s first ever festive Jingle Jog and they raised over £20,000

Toddlers in tinsel and trail runners in Santa hats joined forces to raise funds for Hospiscare yesterday (Sunday 30 November) - at the charity’s first ever festive Jingle Jog.

Five hundred joggers, as well as canine companions, took part in the sell-out event at Greendale Farm Shop, near Exeter. They raised over £20,000, with donations still coming in, to help the hospice charity provide specialist and compassionate end-of-life care to adults across the heart of Devon.

Father Christmas was at the starting line to send the festively dressed runners on their way.

Among the participants was a family group of ten adults and children running in honour of young Dad Simon, an electrician from Mid Devon who died at the hospice last year.

Simon’s widow, Kelly Land, ran with their three daughters and other members of his family.

She said: “It was a challenge for those little legs of Simon’s girls, and his nieces and nephew, but we were determined to give it our all and help give the gift of care to others, as we know Simon always gave his all to others.”

The younger children ran a 2K loop around Greendale Farm’s animal pens, and the older ones joined in the 5K ‘park run’ route. There was also a 10K timed run for the more experienced trail runners at the event.

Kelly and her family wanted to give something back to the hospice for the care Simon received.

She said: “Simon was only 37 when he died. As a family, we’ve always been aware of Hospiscare, but it’s not somewhere we thought we’d be at our age.

“Simon was diagnosed with bowel cancer, and when the hospital told us he had just a few short weeks to live, we decided the hospice is where we wanted Simon to spend his last days, for some dignity for himself, but also because we didn’t want our children having the memory of Daddy dying at home.

“Driving to the hospice was awful; knowing I was taking my husband to the place he was going to die, and knowing I wouldn’t leave until he did. All the staff made us feel so welcome. They went through everything and made sure we all understood what was happening. Simon died the following morning.”

Kelly said they joined in Sunday’s Jingle Jog as an opportunity “to do something fun and meaningful together” in Simon’s memory, as well as raise vital funds for local end-of-life care.

She added: “We’re a close family and Simon’s presence is missed so much by all of us. I am so sad that Hospiscare relies on fundraising to keep it going.

“You never think you’ll need this service until you do. Honestly, I don’t know what I would have done without it. Everyone should get involved in supporting the hospice.”

At the end of Sunday’s run, all participants were awarded a Jingle Jog medal, and contestants and spectators were able to enjoy Greendale’s first ever Christmas Market, with local crafts, festive food, and entertainment.

All proceeds from the Jingle Jog will support Hospiscare’s work, caring for patients and their families throughout Exeter, central and east Devon.

The hospice relies upon public fundraising to generate more than 75 per cent of its income, so the Jingle Jog proceeds will positively impact families like Kelly’s this Christmas. Visit www.hospiscare.co.uk/donate.