The virtual Havens Hospices Southend Half Marathon running event raised a total of £48,900 pounds. Due to the pandemic the charity this year asked supporters to run 13.1 miles anywhere of their choice, in one or more runs, over the weekend of Saturday 12th – Sunday 13th June.
More than 500 participants signed up to take part in the event sponsored by The Underfloor Heating Store, to run half marathons closer to home across Essex and other parts of the country – with one participant even running in the USA. Everyone who completed their 13.1 miles will receive a special commemorative medal.
Every person who registered is supporting Havens Hospices which includes Fair Havens, Little Havens and The J’s. The local hospice charity cares for children, young people and adults living with complex or incurable conditions from across Essex.
This free, specialised care is there for as long as it’s needed, within the home and at the charity’s two hospices, but can only continue thanks to kind donations and sponsorship, such as those raised through events like the Southend Half Marathon.
Jane Hopkins, Voluntary Income Team Leader and organiser of the event at Havens Hospices said: “We can’t thank everyone enough for supporting the virtual format of this year’s event and helping us to raise such an incredible amount of money for local hospice care. We know the running conditions were tough this weekend with temperatures close to 30C but every showed such perseverance.
“The Southend Half Marathon was just one of our events that couldn’t go ahead last year and we estimate that the charity experienced on average a 34% decrease in fundraising income so everyone’s efforts will certainly help us continue our specialist hospice care to all ages across Essex. Whether you ran for fun, to remember a loved one or to achieve a personal best, every mile made such a difference to all the families we care for. A huge thank you to The Underfloor Heating Store too for their support in sponsoring the event.”
For those that missed out on the Southend Half Marathon, the brand-new Chelmsford Marathon Half event sponsored by Beaulieu will be taking place on Sunday 17th October 2021 in Chelmsford. For more information and to register please visit www.havenshospices.org.uk/chelmsfordmarathonhalf
Published 16th June 2021
