A team of four brave nurses run a Half Marathon
A team of four brave nurses are training hard for the Hampton Court Half Marathon on 20th March 2022. Heather Barley, Head of Nursing Services, Dawn Hetherington, Cancer Support Nurse, Michelle Allen, Cancer Support Nurse and Esther Newman, Nurse Co-ordinator will be raising money for Campden Home Nursing.
The team will be called ‘Jecca’s Joggers,’ named after the Jecca Brook, who founded the charity 31 years ago. We are now a thriving charity which provides a free Hospice at Home Service for those with a life limiting illness, and holistic support for their families and carers, including Bereavement Counselling Services. At our headquarters at Jecca’s House, in Chipping Campden, we now also offer a Cancer Support Service. This service provides psychological support through one-to-one appointments and support groups for people diagnosed with cancer or another life limiting illness. The charity provides its services throughout towns and villages across Gloucestershire, Warwickshire and Worcestershire.
What a team!
Heather Barley, Head of Nursing Services, said: “We have come together as a group for what will be a real challenge. None of us are natural runners but the thought of completing it as a team and raising funds for this incredible cause will keep up plodding on to the finish line.
“I am a nurse who is passionate about my job and the charity for which I work, and this seemed a great way to raise some money while trying to get fit at the same time. I ran the London Marathon a few years ago, and since then have tried to run a half marathon each year. What makes this attempt all the better, is doing it with my amazing colleagues. It is an immense privilege to nurse patients who are nearing the end of their life and supporting them to live until they die. Please support us to enable the continuation of this amazing work.”
Michelle Allen, Cancer Support Nurse, said: “I was a complete novice runner. I took up the couch to 5km in September last year, after having recovered from covid, using it as a means to ‘sorting out my head.’ The first few runs were so difficult I thought I’d never get to run more than 30 seconds, but before I knew it, I graduated and was able to run 5km in 30 minutes.
“My colleagues said doing a half marathon would be fun… all I had to do was build up my runs…but I didn’t encounter such awful training conditions – freezing cold, wind, and rain, but I keep reminding myself it’s fun! I look forward to passing the finish line, because this will be such an amazing experience, and all for a great cause, so please help if you can!”
Esther Newman said: “Just when I thought I was done with half marathons, having previously run quite a few, I was persuaded to do another one! It’s all coming back to me the ‘ups and downs’ of training particularly in the winter months with cold, wind, rain etc!! However, currently making reasonable progress supported by the weekly gym sessions with my Campden Home Nursing colleagues.
I feel passionate about working at Campden Home Nursing, ensuring that we allow patients to be nursed at home. This is the very reason why I am running the half marathon raising funds to provide care to patients and their families.”
Dawn Hetherington said: “I’m ready for the challenge and we can do this as a team. The unbelievable support of the team motivates me to have a go at it!”
Helen Makaritis, Chief Executive Officer for Campden Home Nursing, said: “I am so proud of our nurses. They have done a sterling job throughout the pandemic, keeping patients safe and carrying on in very difficult circumstances, and now they are pushing their limits by running a Half Marathon. They are an amazing bunch of ladies.”
The team would love your support. You can take a look at their fundraising page and donate here.
Jecca’s Joggers are training hard!
