We ran 12 miles a day for local cause (From Worcester News)

Colleague’s cancer scare spurred us to raise cash for hospice

9:30am Monday 7th January 2013 in News By Freya Leng

WHILE most people have been enjoying the Christmas party season, two runners have raised £2,200 running 12 miles a day for 12 days.
Steve Meigh and Matt Davis, who both work at One Creative Environments, in Worcester, have run 144 miles to raise money for St Richard’s Hospice.
The pair, who are both 33, started the challenge on December 1.
They set out from the office at the end of each day to clock up the miles around the city.
Each day their route took them from County Hall and passed through the racecourse, Gheluvelt and Perdiswell parks and the Blackpole estate before reaching the finish line near the Worcestershire Royal Hospital.
On the last day, they were joined by 18 colleagues who ran or cycled the last 12 miles alongside them.
“When Matt and I decided to do the race in the summer it seemed like a good idea,” said Mr Meigh, of Barnt Green.
“But when we set out on that first night in the dark, freezing wet conditions it didn’t seem quite so clever.
“It was a real challenge and there were many highs and lows over the 12 days, both physical and psychological, but it’s been well worth the personal effort.
“We’ve received huge support from our colleagues at One who’ve helped to lift morale along the way.
“We’ve been overwhelmed by the support given and we’re delighted to have raised more than £2,000 for this very worthy local cause.”
The pair were inspired to fundraise for the organisation when one of their colleagues, Jo Siddles, was diagnosed with cancer earlier last year.
After having surgery in April, she enrolled on the Hospice’s 10-week ‘Snowdrops’ transition course to help aid her recovery and worked regularly with the team’s specialist nurses.
“Seeing how St Richard’s Hospice supported Jo through her cancer really inspired us to raise money for the organisation,” said Mr Meigh.
“It’s also based just around the corner from our offices so it’s great to be able to support such a local charity.”
Tricia Cavell, fundraising director at St Richard’s Hospice, praised the pair’s efforts.
She said: “It’s brilliant to see local employees taking on such a big challenge to support the hospice. It’s events like this that help us to continue supporting families across the region who are affected by cancer and other life-threatening illnesses.”