On Sunday 25th May, Noel Davy, Small Business Unit Manager of
Towergate Risk Solutions (Whitstable), turned up with over 600
other keen runners to take part in the Canterbury Half-Marathon
2008 in order to help raise valuable funds for the Pilgrims
Hospices East Kent.
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The race is in its fourth year of running and over the last
three years approximately £45,000 has been raised from the annual
event.
After what was a long muddy walk to the start, the clouds broke
and the participants were on their way on what would prove to be a
doubly breathtaking run.
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Noel said afterwards, “Although the course could be said to be
one of the more hardest and challenging you could experience (for
those who love an undulating route with at times severely steep
hills, this would be ideal), we got to run, whilst being bathed in
warm sunshine, through some of the most picturesque Kent villages -
together with this backdrop of swathing trees, rolling green
fields, old farm houses and the like. With the supportive locals
and organisers cheering and clapping everyone on as they went
round, it really spurred all the runners on through to the
end…which was especially vital for me as the heavy cramps began to
set in to the calves with a couple of miles still to go. Overall,
it really was a very enjoyable run, which I will definitely
register to do again, and hopefully both the participation in and
profile of (what is) a great and very worthy fundraising event will
continue to grow in the future. I’m really chuffed with the monies
I’ve raised.”
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Supported by the generous donations of fellow Towergate staff,
and together with cash from friends and family, Noel has helped to
raise nearly £350 in sponsorship for the Hospices, which will add
to an already anticipated highest amount raised for the event.
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Chairman of the Hospice’s Canterbury fund-raising committee
David Denne said: “We are expecting to report record figures this
year. The generosity of those who ran, and those who supported the
runners, has been exceptional.”
The event attracted extensive local press coverage throughout the
region and with both runner and stewards sporting the local office
details, the Towergate name was further enhanced.
Twenty five years ago the first Pilgrims Hospice opened in
Canterbury to provide love and care for those suffering from
advanced incurable illnesses as well as support to their families
and loved ones. Since then they have expanded in the region to
include hospices in Margate and Ashford, providing 56 inpatient
beds and admittance for day hospice patients, and are complemented
by a community nursing team that brings palliative care to patients
in their own home.
The East Kent Hospices have to raise approximately £6 million a
year through fund raising to provide its much-needed care for
approximately 600,000 people in the region.
Paula Ines
Charity Champion Towergate
Whitstable