ST Clare nurse Nicky Reid will be among the 600 runners at the starting line for the Hospice’s annual 10K Race this Sunday (April 12).

Nicky, one of St Clare’s Clinical Nurse Specialists, is returning to the event to support the charity she is proud to work for.

For Nicky, the decision to run was an easy one. “This year’s 10K feels especially meaningful,” she said. “I’ve done it before, but with hospices under so much financial pressure at the moment, I really wanted to do something practical for the service I work in.

“When you care deeply about where you work, you naturally ask yourself, ‘What can I do to help?’ I’m a keen runner anyway, so taking on the 10K felt like the perfect way to combine something I love with raising money for such an important cause.”

Running is also an important part of Nicky’s wellbeing. “It helps me completely lose myself. It’s like stepping into another world, especially if I’m somewhere scenic like along the River Stort. It lets me forget my worries and clear my head after a difficult day at work.”

She often runs with her one‑year‑old Boxer dog, Ziggy. “I run about two miles most days I’m not working, and honestly, it’s often easier to run Ziggy than walk him! He loves it – and while he’s trained not to pull on the flat, he definitely gives me a little boost uphill.”

Nicky’s day-to-day role at St Clare is as a clinical nurse specialist, supporting patients and families at home during some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives. “Often, I’m visiting people when they’re feeling frightened, uncertain or quite lost – especially if they’ve just been discharged from oncology services and don’t know what happens next,” she said.

“What I love is being able to reassure them that hospice care is about support, symptom management and helping them live as well as possible. You can often see someone’s whole outlook shift during that first visit. That’s incredibly rewarding.”

She also prepares thoroughly before each visit, reviewing medical notes and letters so that families feel their care has been thoughtfully planned long before she arrives.

Looking ahead to the 10K, Nicky is most excited about the atmosphere. “It will be lovely to see relatives of patients we’ve supported, and hopefully some familiar faces from previous years. That sense of connection makes the day feel really special.”

Her family – including Ziggy — will be cheering from the sidelines. “They’ve all decided not to run this year so the day can be about me, which makes it extra special.”

You can help Nicky make every step count for St Clare Hospice by sponsoring her via her fundraising page. Every pound raised will help fund the vital specialist care she and her colleagues help provide every day: https://stclarehospice.enthuse.com/pf/nickola-reid-norris-cca59