I will be running the Virgin London Marathon for the first time on Sunday, 13th April and will be raising funds for Wigan & Leigh Hospice's pioneering ‘Hospice In Your Home’ scheme.
The ‘Hospice in your Home’ service takes the skills, ethos and practical nursing care associated with the Wigan and Leigh Hospice into the home environment, seven days a week. It is provided by a small team of Qualified Nurses and Healthcare Assistants and aims to offer more time with patients and to give practical support and nursing care to patients and their carers.
I visited Regency Glass Ltd on Friday, 28th March at Hope Carr Industrial Estate to see some of the investment in new machinery made by the company. Founded in 1983, and employing over 80 local people, Regency Glass are a leading supplier of processed glass within the UK making a comprehensive range of Kitemarked sealed units and toughened glass to the domestic and commercial markets in the UK.
Regency Glass Ltd sponsored my fundraising for Wigan & Leigh Hospice to the tune of £500 but pledged to double this total if I finish ahead of shadow cabinet colleague and shadow chancellor, Ed Balls MP.
Regency Glass is a great Leigh success story and a company with a strong commitment to our area and its people. Their support for Wigan & Leigh Hospice is truly appreciated. But they have really put me on the spot with this challenge. With the marathon now just days away, I'm feeling under more pressure to deliver than David Moyes!
Whatever happens on the day, I will be proud to run through London to support our hospice which helps so many local families in their hour of need. But they could do even more. The sad fact is that too many people in this area end their life in hospital when they would rather be at home with their family. The 'Hospice In Your Home' will give that choice to more local families and I hope more local businesses will support it by sponsoring my run.
Donations can be made online here.
