A HOSPICE based in Sutton Scotney has launched a running challenge, backed by a Great British athlete.

Naomi House & Jacksplace has launched Run 4 Respite, encouraging supporters to run 105 miles in the month of March, and raise £105 – which is enough to fund five hours-worth of vital specialist care.

The event has been backed by renowned Great Britain long distance runner, Naomi Mitchell, and sponsored by building services engineers, the Royston Group.

GB long distance runner and friend to the charity, Naomi, will be supporting the charity event by taking part and promoting it to her followers.

She said: “I am getting involved with Run 4 Respite this March to help raise much needed funds for Naomi House & Jacksplace, as they continue to provide critical services, for free. It’s so important that all children and young people have access to support networks and the care they need, especially during this period, where so much of our lives are restricted.”

Charlotte Patrick, Events Fundraiser for Naomi House & Jacksplace, commented: “We are thrilled to launch this new, exciting and agile challenge, which can be completed during lockdown, on a treadmill or in a local park! We are hoping it will raise much needed funds, as well as awareness of what we do here at the hospices. We are extremely lucky to have the support of the Royston Group and Naomi Mitchell and would like to take this opportunity to

Run 4 Respite is free to join, with the commitment of fundraising £105 per participant. Once signed up, participants are added to ‘Team Naomi’, Naomi House & Jacksplace’s running group, and will receive all of the benefits of being a part of this group, including virtual assistance, training support and training plans from the charity’s partner, Nick Anderson, GB Coach and Founder of ‘Running with Us’."

To sign up to Run 4 Respite, visit: www.naomihouse.org.uk/run4respite or for more information, contact Charlotte at Naomi House & Jacksplace by emailing: charlotte@naomihouse.org.uk or calling: 01962 760060.