NINE members of St Clare Hospice’s clinical staff team are set to take part in the Hospice’s annual 10K race on Sunday, 2^nd April 2023. The popular annual 10K sporting event has been a fixture in local athletics calendars for almost thirty years, and is a vital source of fundraising for the charity.

Taking part from the clinical team are: Nicky Reid Norris (Hospice at Home Team Leader), Sam Taylor (Clinical Nurse Specialist), Zoe Hollins (Clinical Nurse Specialist), Dr Ros Marvin (Consultant), Dr Arjun Kingdon (Consultant), Dr Jonathan Riordan (Consultant), Dr Manpreet Kainth, Dr Sa’ud Jiwani and Dr Simon Etkind.

A member of the clinical staff 10K team, Nicky Reid Norris, has worked at St Clare Hospice for almost 20 years. Nicky joined in April 2003 as a health care assistant, going on to qualify as a registered nurse and work on the Inpatient Unit until 2021. Nicky is now a Team Leader in the Hospice at Home team, supporting patients and families in the comfort of their own homes.

Commenting on running the St Clare 10K this April, Nicky said: “I’m a keen runner and actually ran the London Marathon for St Clare Hospice back in 2005. I wanted to run the 10K this year as a way to raise money to support the families we care for.”

Nicky continued: “I know just how much our support means to families, and how vital it is that we raise the funds to deliver our care. As an independent charity we need to raise the more than £5 million running costs each and every year. I believe we all have a part to play in raising money so that we can keep giving outstanding care to local families.”

Commenting on her role as a palliative care nurse, Nicky said: “I am passionate about nursing in palliative care. When I go in to visit patients at home for the first time, they are often scared and feel lost. It is so rewarding to see the relief on their faces as they find out all the ways we can help them. When I reassure them that we are there, you can see a weight has been lifted.”                       

Nicky continued: “I love my job. Caring for someone at the end of their life is so important and valuable. Dying is something that many of us, quite naturally, may feel afraid of. We get just one chance to get the care for someone at the end of their life right, so it is even more important. Everyone deserves the best death. And it is a privilege to be there to support people.”

The St Clare clinical staff team are aiming to raise £1,000 in sponsorship. To sponsor the team, visit their Just Giving page: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/st-clare-hospice-staff

St Clare Hospice’s popular 10K race is set to return for its 29^th year, starting and finishing at the Hospice in Hastingwood, on Sunday 2^nd April 2023.

The fundraising event for the local charity is open to all abilities. It is ideal for regular running club members looking to boost their training, as well as those who are new to running but looking for a challenge. Wheelchair racers are also welcome and have become an integral part of the event.

The race is UK Athletics affiliated and chip-timed – so it offers the perfect opportunity to get a new PB for the 2023 race season. There are also trophies up for grabs in the following categories: male, female, seniors, juniors and wheelchair athletes and every participant will get a medal.

Last year, this popular event saw over 300 participants raise more than £8,000 for the Hospice – a target which St Clare is hoping to beat this year. Registration costs £17 (£15 for affiliated runners). The registration desk will be open at 9:00am on the day, with the race starting at 10:30am. The event is open to people aged 15 and above.

The race starts and finishes at St Clare Hospice, Hastingwood Road, Hastingwood, Essex, CM17 9JX.

For more information, or to register, visit stclarehospice.org.uk/st-clare-10k Alternatively, please contact Clare Morris on 01279 773750 or [email protected]