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 the charity, Campden Home Nursing, where they work together.
The team will be called ‘Jecca’s Joggers,’ named after Jecca Brook, who founded the charity 31 years ago. Campden Home Nursing is 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. The charity provides its services throughout towns and villages across Worcestershire. 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 us 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.”
Michelle Allen, Cancer Support Nurse, said: “I was a complete novice runner. I took up the Couch to 5km programme 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. 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!! "
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. Now they are pushing their limits by running a Half Marathon. They are an inspiring team of ladies.”
The nurses would love some support. Please donate at: www.campdenhomenursing.enth use.com/pf/jeccas-joggers