Ben Souster loves to run so signing up to the Brentwood Half Marathon was the perfect challenge for him. But running the 13.1 miles on Sunday 24th March 2024 is also Ben’s way of helping other people receive the care and support of Saint Francis Hospice, just as his family did when they needed it the most.

I got into running for my mental health and as there are a lot of trails near me, I can run out in nature. I signed up for the Brentwood Half Marathon as I’ve wanted to take part in a Saint Francis Hospice event for a while now to raise much needed funds and awareness of the fantastic work the staff and volunteers do. 

I will be running in memory of my parents, both of whom were cared for by the hospice before they died of cancer. I feel a personal connection to the charity as the team helped me and my family get through two of the worst times in my life.

I have seen first hand the care, hard work and dedication it takes to work in and run a hospice. It’s a truly wonderful place. I honestly do not know what I would have done without the support of the hospice and I could not have asked for a better place for my parents to be in their last days. The thought of others going through what we went through without this service being available to them is very sad. 

I know how much Saint Francis Hospice depends on donations and if I can raise some funds to help keep the service going for others, then it is my small way of giving something back. 

My fundraising is going well so far, and although I have not got any special events planned yet, I’ve almost reached my £1,000 target. Training is underway and although it has been hampered somewhat with the winter colds going around, I am on track to be fighting fit for 10th March 24.  

The course looks challenging and I am looking forward to race day so I can take in the atmosphere and run with the Saint Francis Hospice team. I am hoping to get as close to the 2-hour finish time as possible on the day! 

You can join Ben on the start line by signing up at sfh.org.uk/brentwood-half-marathon 

Saint Francis Hospice is a registered charity that employs 150 nurses, doctors and specialist healthcare staff who are supported by 800 volunteers. Together they provide care and help to more than 4,000 people across the boroughs of Havering, Barking & Dagenham, Redbridge and Brentwood. Saint Francis Hospice provides all of its services free of charge to support patients from our local community with any life-limiting illness including cancer, heart, lung or motor neurone disease.