Construction Director, Jim Capron and his wife Lucy recently took on one of the most scenic and challenging half-marathons in the world
With an initial fundraising target of £500, the pair have smashed all expectations, raising over £3,000 after tax relief thanks to generous donations from companies, friends and family. They have kept us up-to-date with training progress throughout the weeks leading up to the big day, showing us the good and the bad points of being an athlete in these hills.
The event organised by North Devon Hospice provides full and half marathon routes through the breath-taking coastal scenery of Woolacombe, Croyde and Saunton, within a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). According to the event website:
The stunning multi-terrain route lives up to its reputation of being as beautiful as it is tough.
Jim and Lucy had strong personal reasons to get into some running shoes and push themselves to complete this new challenge;
“As you may or may not know we lost my much-loved father Stuart to a devastating and irreversible lung disease (Pulmonary Fibrosis) in September 2014. One of his passions in life was his job which involved the cleaning, maintenance and upkeep of Woolacombe beach (which he called ‘My Office’!). Alongside this in his spare time, he would volunteer for local hospice ‘North Devon Hospice’ helping with the maintenance and upkeep of the grounds. When he began his volunteer role this was initially a gesture of local support for a hugely valuable charity, but it also helped build his own wellbeing as a person who had battled with mental illness for many years. Little did we know that later down the line we would have to use the hospice services he’d volunteered to support, accessing such valuable counselling as Dad prepared to take on his illness and bereavement support for family members after he passed away. This year would have been dad’s 70th birthday.“
A part-time lifeguard and capable swimmer, Jim’s not so comfortable on dry land and says he won’t be doing THAT again, but the pair are utterly thankful for all the support they’ve been given to help raise a substantial amount for a great cause.
To view the latest fundraising figure or donate, you can visit Jim and Lucy’s Virgin Money Giving page below:
Despite the rain and wind, the scenery was still as magnificent as ever. Not just an AONB, the run also took place within our beloved UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and the organisers ensured that it would be plastic free with help from Plastic Free North Devon.
Find out more about North Devon Hospice
North Devon Hospice has been providing care and support for local families throughout North Devon since 1984.
