In one week’s time, a Droitwich man will start his 220-mile run along the Severn Way in memory of his dad, who was cared for by a Worcester hospice.
Joe Hemming will run between 33 and 43 miles a day from Friday, 5 June to Wednesday, 10 June and plans to cross the finish line a year to the day that his father, Robert Hemming, died at St Richard’s Hospice.
Joe said: “This challenge is not just about the miles, but about honouring the strength my dad showed and giving back to the hospice that supported him, and us, so compassionately in his final days.
“I’m now within touching distance of the start line. The training has been tough. Managing injury setbacks and waking up at 4.30am to smash out half marathons before work has truly tested me. But along the way, watching the spring snowdrops appear was an incredible, quiet reminder of exactly why I’m doing this.
“As the run draws closer, so does a massive personal milestone. The day I cross the finish line in Bristol will mark exactly 365 days since my dad passed away.
“In those 365 days, the incredible team at St Richard’s Hospice has carried on caring for more than 3,000 people in our community, providing unwavering support to patients and their loved ones when they need it most. That’s why I’m stepping up to the start line to give back to the people who give so much.”
Joe’s challenge will start in Powys and ends in Bristol. Anyone who would like to cheer him on can find him in Worcestershire on 8 June when he’ll be running the Severn Way from Bridgnorth to Worcester, finishing at Browns on the Quay, and 9 June when he’ll start in Worcester and run to Frampton on Severn.
His full route is:
- 5 June: Plynlimon to Abermule (36 Miles)
- 6 June: Abermule to Shrewsbury (37 Miles)
- 7 June: Shrewsbury to Bridgnorth (35 Miles)
- 8 June: Bridgnorth to Worcester (33 Miles)
- 9 June: Worcester to Frampton on Severn (43 Miles)
- 10 June: Frampton to Bristol Cathedral (36 Miles)
Joe has already raised over £2,000 for St Richard’s and people can support his challenge by visiting www.justgiving.com/page/joe-hemming-3.
St Richard’s Hospice is an independent charity offering free, expert care for adults with an illness that cannot be cured, and support for their loved ones and carers.
Each year the hospice team supports more than 3,000 patients, family members and bereaved people in Worcestershire.
It will cost in the region of £12m to run the hospice this year, which includes patient care and all the necessary support services.
St Richard’s relies on voluntary support, including from donations, gifts in Wills, retail and events for the majority of its income with the remainder funded by the NHS.
For more information about St Richard’s Hospice visit www.strichards.org.uk.
