St Richard’s Hospice is hoping supporters will make October a marathon month to support the free care it provides to patients and their loved ones across Worcestershire.

The charity has launched a new virtual challenge as the coronavirus crisis continues to leave a hole in its fundraising efforts – with many events cancelled and charity shops closed earlier in the year.

‘Marathon in a Month’ encourages the community to walk, jog, run, scoot or skate a total of 26.2 miles over 31 days next month.

The event is open to everyone and is great opportunity to get the whole family – including four-legged-friends – involved.

The charity was inspired to set up the event after local mum, Ruth Bennett, completed an uphill marathon for its care last weekend; raising more than £1,600.

Mrs Bennett ran in memory of her dad, Andrew Stockburn, who St Richard’s cared for in 2008.

She will run again for St Richard’s as part of a Virtual London Marathon in October.

Ria Simons, hospice fundraiser, said: “It’s been a tough year for charities like us and that will be brought into sharper focus in October as the London Marathon, the world’s biggest one-day fundraising event, is sadly not taking place.

“Despite the challenges 2020 has brought, we’ve seen amazing acts from our supporters who continue to find ways to take on socially-distant challenges, gain sponsorship and help us be there for local people and their families when they’re most in need.

“Ruth is one such incredible supporter. Unable to take part in the marathon she’d planned this year, she decided to run a marathon by herself – and uphill too! Of course, that’s a pretty superhuman effort, and not everyone might feel able to that next month, but perhaps you could walk, jog or run a mile a day? Maybe walk, scoot or skate the school run instead of driving? Or perhaps rack up the miles on your daily dog walks?”

Speaking about her uphill marathon fundraising challenge for St Richard’s, Mrs Bennett, said: “St Richard’s took such great care of dad, both as a day hospice patient and at the end of his life, running a marathon for the hospice is my way of saying thank you.

“But you don’t have to run a marathon all at once to support St Richard’s, with ‘Marathon in a Month’ you can take it entirely at your own pace, on your own or with the family. It’s a brilliant way to keep active and help make a difference this October.”

You can support the charity’s ‘Marathon in a Month’ challenge and register to take part on its website at www.strichards.org.uk/event/marathon-in-a-month