Join festive fun run and make a real difference

Seriously ill children have benefitted from almost 3,000 hours of nursing care in the last 10 years thanks to the people of Bedford taking part in the town’s most festive fun run.

Since Keech Hospice Care’s annual Santa Run began in Bedford 10 years ago, the event has raised an incredible £107,000 – the equivalent of 2,826 hours of nursing care on the charity’s in-patient units.

Events like the hospice’s Santa Run help to pay for the care of children like three-year-old Alex Morris from Wixams, who has a heart abnormality and a serious condition which affects his breathing and his ability to eat properly.

“Keech has been a lifesaver for us this past year. We really struggled last winter to find safe and child-friendly environments which limited the risk of Alex picking up a bug. Going to the stay-and-play group each week has been amazing, and we will always be eternally grateful to the staff and volunteers that make Keech such a nice place to go,” said mum Susan.

Mark Relf, Events Fundraising Manager at Keech Hospice Care, said that the hospice needs the community’s support more than ever to continue supporting adults and children with terminal and life-limiting illnesses when they need it most.

“Each year it is so wonderful to see hundreds of people all having a fabulous time dressed as Santa running along the Embankment – it’s incredibly special. Please come and give Santa a run for his money at Keech Hospice Care’s 5km sponsored Santa Run on Sunday, 2 December at Bedford Embankment,” said Mark.

“As a charity, we depend on around 70 per cent of our funding to come from the community so please sign up to our Santa Run today and get into the Christmas spirit by helping us care for more seriously ill adults in Luton and Bedfordshire and children in Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Milton Keynes.”

The Russell family from Bedford has made the hospice’s annual festive fun run their tradition as their little boy Harry was cared for by the charity until he died at just three years-old in November 2015.

“Keech Hospice Care’s Santa Run is amazing and it’s now something we do every Christmas. Keech cared for Harry and helped us to make so many memories before he died and they’re still supporting us now. It’s going to be great fun walking, jogging and running along Bedford’s Embankment surrounded by so many ‘Santas’ raising awareness and money for such a brilliant charity. We can’t wait to do it again,” said mum Julie.

Kick-start the countdown to Christmas by signing up for Keech Hospice Care’s 5km Santa Run and sign up here or call 01582 707940. Entry is just £15 for adults and includes a Santa costume to keep, finisher’s medal and gift. Under 16s cost £5, which includes festive headwear, and family entry for two adults and three children is £40.