Running for a Cause Close to Home
On 7 September, I’ll be donning my running shoes and joining more than 60,000 excited runners at the start line of the Great North Run. I’m not just running for the personal challenge, I’m also running for something far more important and that is to support the incredible work of Willen Hospice in Milton Keynes.Why Willen Hospice?
Willen Hospice was the first charity of its kind in Milton Keynes, founded in 1981 by Dr Marjorie Reid and District Nurse Dorothy Jell.
It remains the only Hospice caring for adults with life-limiting illness in the local area.
Care is free to patients and their families, thanks to the generosity of donors, fundraisers and the wider community.
Families who have received support from Willen Hospice describe their experience in deeply heartfelt and emotional terms. Here are just a handful of comments:
You could feel the warmth the moment you walked through the doors.
It was such a peaceful environment — calm, respectful, and full of love.
They were always there — day or night — nothing was too much trouble.
They helped with things we hadn’t even thought about. It’s like they knew what we needed before we did.
Why Donors matter so much to Funding
Willen needs to raise more than £5.9 million every year to continue providing its vital services.
That’s roughly £11 every minute.
So, if every person living in Milton Keynes could donate just £20.47 once a year, it would cover the entire £5.9 million Willen Hospice needs to provide its much-needed service.
When I signed up for the Great North Run this year, I knew without hesitation that I wanted to fundraise for them, but more importantly I wanted to raise awareness of the charity and remind everyone in our local community of their vital service that offers peace, love and dignity to those in our community who need it.
If you would like to support me and help raise vital funds for Milton Keynes Willen Hospice, my page is open for everyone and you can donate here: Willen Hospice: Diane’s page
Why the Great North Run?
The Great North Run has earned its place as the world’s biggest half marathon and one of the UK’s most popular races, with tens of thousands of runners each year crossing the finish line with a huge grin.
Welcoming amateurs and athletes alike, the Great North Run has been putting the North East on the map for an amazing 40 years.
Most importantly, however, runners not only do it as a personal challenge, but also as an opportunity to fundraise for charities that support their communities.
In 2024 alone, over 1,000 registered charities benefited from the event. 10,000 runners used the Just Giving Platform to raise £6 million for many different UK charities.
Amazingly, the total fundraisers taking part in the run, using all different ways to raise sponsorship, bring in £25–26 million annually for charities nationwide.
A Personal Challenge
I won’t pretend I’m a lifelong runner.
Between running a business and caring for a young family, ‘Training’, as all runners will know, is squeezed in where possible, including getting out for early mornings, late evenings after bedtimes and even squeezed into a few lunch breaks.
However, no matter the day, every mile logged reminds me why this matters.
Hospices are there for people during their most difficult moments. Willen’s work is as much about whole families as it is about their patients. And that’s something that speaks to me personally.
Supporting the Community That Supports Us
As a business leader in Milton Keynes, I firmly believe I have a calling to give back.
Our community supports me and supporting Willen is one way to return that kindness and make a meaningful difference close to home.
Whether you’ve used their services or simply believe in their mission, I’d love your help.
Every donation, no matter the size, will help Willen continue its outstanding work. And if you’re unable to give, just spreading the word is a huge help.
Follow My Journey
Over the next few months, I’ll be sharing updates on my training, the highs and lows, and what it’s like preparing for one of the biggest half marathons in the world.
You can follow along on my LinkedIn and I’ll also be sharing stories about Willen’s work and the people they support, so you can see exactly where your support goes.
How You Can Help
If you’d like to support my run for Willen Hospice, you can donate through my JustGiving page here: Willen Hospice: Diane’s page
Thank you.