Ellie gets set for web run to aid Trinity Hospice

It’s going ahead virtually – solo and socially-distanced – and Ellie, 42, is among a host of competitors taking part to help boost Trinity’s coffers as it looks to plug a £1m funding gap caused by the Covid-19 crisis.

Ellie decided to join the event as a tribute to her mum, Ann, and as a thank you to Trinity.

Ann died in the hospice in March 2020 and was cared for on the In-Patient Unit for five weeks.

“I spent every day at the hospice with my mum and saw first-hand the unbelievable work carried out by all the staff and volunteers,” said Ellie.

“They were so kind and gentle which helped my mum immensely. They were also there for me and my family at what was such a sad and difficult time; we couldn’t have been more grateful.”

For many years, Ann volunteered in Trinity’s Day Therapy Unit as an art coordinator, and did her fair share of fundraising for the hospice too.

“My mum absolutely loved it. It gave her such pleasure to spend time with the patients making crafts and helping to take their mind off things, even for a short while,” added Ellie.

“She would often tell me what she’d been doing and spoke so fondly of the place and how lovely the atmosphere was.

“It was only when she was admitted in February that I truly understood why she spoke about it so warmly.”

It will be Ellie’s first time in the Beaverbrooks Blackpool 10k Fun Run and she has found training for her solo run hugely rewarding even at the toughest of times.

She set her target at £250 but in a matter of days her total was double the amount – and still rising. “I’m so grateful to everyone,” she added. “

Details of the run at www.trinityhospice.co.uk/virtualevents