Jane Clarke, a nurse with Arthur Rank Hospice Charity, is a keen runner who has run everything from the Charity’s Festive 5K in November to half and full marathons.
However, she is now taking on her biggest physical challenge to date: Her ‘wish list’ now, is to complete five major events in 2021!!
Jane explains:“I had signed up to run the Peterborough Marathon last year but it was postponed due to COVID-19 restrictions. I then entered the 100 mile bike ride in the Tour of Cambridgeshire and decided to use this to help with fund raising too. For several years my dream has been to run the London Marathon and the opportunity arose for me to take part.
So rather than one event this year I have decided to set myself a year-long challenge to fundraise for such a wonderful, local charity with two marathons, two half marathons and a 100 mile bike ride!”
Her work and her motivation
Jane understands, first-hand, the importance of supporting patients and their families living with life-limiting illness, having worked as a nurse for the past 13 years at The Alan Hudson Day Treatment Centre in Wisbech. Since COVID-19 hit in March 2020, life has become more difficult for everyone. As well as affecting every-day nursing for her and the team in a whole host of ways, it has had a devastating impact on the fundraising activities and potential of the Charity. Funds are needed now more than ever.
Jane explains:“Every day I go to work to make a difference. It is a privilege to work for a service that provides outstanding care to patients and their families at such an important time in their lives. I work in the Day Therapy area where we have a small, close-knit team which enables us to support each other as well as our patients.”
A passion for running
Jane started running in 2014 and found that the time out from her busy work and home commitments gave her time alone to relax and think.
She adds: “Sometimes I can come home and might be feeling quite stressed, but after going for a run I feel so much better.”
Revising ‘The Plan’
Jane has had to revise her training plan: “I was 4 weeks into my running plan for the Peterborough Marathon before I heard it was postponed and at that point was running up to 18 miles. I will need to cut back on the mileage now for a couple of weeks and then start again.
"The schedule has become very tight and has suddenly made this challenge even more difficult but I will do my best to complete all the events. The Peterborough Marathon is now only 2 weeks before the 100 mile bike ride and in between this is the Edinburgh Half Marathon before the Sandringham Half Marathon.
"After the 100 mile bike ride I will have a week off and then look to restart training for the final one – the London Marathon – which is the most exciting and important event for me. To say I am a little excited is an understatement.”
Cheer her on – with us!
All the team at the Alan Hudson Day Treatment Centre and Arthur Rank Hospice Charity are in awe of Jane’s ambitious running and cycling plans. We hope her legs are up to it! To summarise, she will be taking on:
- Peterborough Marathon on 23 May
- Edinburgh Half Marathon on 29 May
- 100 miles cycling in the Tour of Cambridgeshire on 6 June
- Sandringham Half Marathon on 20 June
- London Marathon on 3 October
Toni Bird, Fundraising Coordinator at The Alan Hudson Day Treatment Centre, adds “Jane is a much-loved colleague and Nurse. She is very passionate about both her work and running and is excited to be taking on this challenge to support patients and their families. We know she will get a great deal of support and hope you will join us in cheering her on right to that final London Marathon finish line in October .
"It will cost £8.56 million this year to run our services and in this particularly difficult time for all Charities, we are applaud Jane for taking on this magnificent five-event challenge for us”.
To support Jane with a donation and good luck message you can visit her Justgiving page at: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/alan-hudson-day-treatment-centre2
If you’d like to explore taking on your own challenge (or series of challenges!) to raise funds for the Arthur Rank Hospice Charity and its vital services, please visit arhc.org.uk/challenges