On Sunday (May 26) Exeter hosted the Great West Run 2024, with more than 4000 participants taking on the city centre course across a variety of distances.

Nine team members from Sidmouth and Sid Valley ran the half marathon to raise money for Sidmouth Hospice at Home.

The course saw participants start and finish at the Race Village based at Exeter Arena, and loop their way around Exeter City, taking on the challenges of numerous hills along the way, and with the added complication of heavy rain. A number of the Sidmouth Hospice at Home team are active members of popular Sidmouth Running Club.

Team members were motivated by personal and professional experiences with Sidmouth Hospice at Home, with

One runner Nikita Kay said: “As a community nurse, I've had the privilege of witnessing the incredible impact of their hospice end-of-life care firsthand. The dedicated team at Sidmouth Hospice at Home provides unwavering support to patients and their families, offering comfort and compassion during some of life's most challenging moments. Seeing the difference they make every day has truly inspired me. That's why I laced up my running shoes to take on a half marathon, to raise funds and give back to an organisation that has touched the lives of so many, including my own friends and family."

Charity CEO, Al Cameron, said “Year on year our Great West Run team has grown, and the efforts and enthusiasm of these amazing community members continues to inspire us all. We know that we are delivering a service that’s not only fantastic value for money, but most importantly provides free, exemplary care to those in need, and their family members. Our service is set to cost in excess of £880,000 in the coming year, so their wonderful support, the funds raised and the awareness that’s generated are invaluable. We can’t thank them enough.”

To date, Sidmouth Hospice at Home Great West Run 2024 team members have collectively raised in excess of £4000 for the hospice Charity, which provides 24-hour specialist palliative nursing care to those living with life-limiting illness in the Sidmouth and wider Sid Valley community, at home.

The ‘Sidmouth Model’ of care is considered pioneering, being unique in our county of Devon and beyond.

Fundraising pages remain open for donations via the JustGiving website, with news and race updates available from the Charity Facebook page @sidmouthospiceathome and also online at sidmouthhospiceathome.org.uk