Staff from East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) are lacing up their running shoes to help raise the charity’s profile in Peterborough.
Jan Stanbury-Jones, Lucy Brumpton and Matt Plummer have signed up for the Great Eastern Run and will be pounding the city’s streets on Sunday, 11th October.
The trio are part of a cross-organisational working group to help make more Peterborough families aware of the care and support EACH provides.
Jan is a Specialist Child and Young Person Counsellor based at EACH’s hospice in Milton.
“I make the journey to Peterborough every week and have come to know the city well,” she said.
“I provide sessions in schools, visit families in their homes and meet children and adults at the City Care Centre on Thorpe Road.
It’s helped me appreciate just how difficult it can be for some families to reach our hospice in Milton, which is why I’m so passionate about making sure families know EACH’s support is available closer to home, including here in Peterborough.
“By bringing services into schools, homes and community settings, we can reach more children and families and ensure they receive the help they need.
“Raising awareness of what we provide here is incredibly important to me, and that’s why I’m so proud to be taking part in the Great Eastern Run.”
The organisation launched its new care strategy earlier this year, setting out how it plans to grow and transform services to support more families.
It is underpinned by seven key commitments, and one of them is ‘We will be inclusive’. This means welcoming every child, young person and family who needs support, making sure no-one is left out.
Peterborough is a key focus, given its diversity and the wide range of communities that call the city home.
“Peterborough is a community close to my heart, and taking part is going to be much more than a personal challenge for me,” said Head of Care Transformation and Development Lucy.
“It’s a wonderful opportunity to champion our work and commitment to inclusion.
“The fifth commitment in our new care strategy states that every child, young person and family deserves equal access to care and support, regardless of their circumstances.
“By running through the streets of Peterborough, I hope to raise awareness of the importance of ensuring no family feels overlooked when seeking the help they need, whether that’s hospice care, bereavement support, support for siblings or help during times of transition.
“Every mile represents our determination to reach more families and build a more inclusive future.”
Media and PR Manager Matt is equally enthusiastic about having the opportunity to represent EACH.
“The Great Eastern Run is one of Peterborough’s best-known community events and provides a fantastic opportunity to raise awareness of the support EACH offers local families,” he said.
“Many people are familiar with our hospice in Milton, but not everyone realises we also provide care and support in homes, schools and community settings across Peterborough.
“If taking part helps even one family discover they’re eligible for our support, then every mile will be worthwhile.”
Jan, Lucy and Matt will be joined by four other runners who have chosen to raise funds for EACH.
A colleague and a team of volunteers will also be there on the day, with a cheer point along the route and a presence at the finish line to give them a warm welcome after completing the 13.1 miles.
To show your support and sponsor Jan, Lucy or Matt, click on their individual fundraising pages.
