£4k raised by local businessman for Great North Run

Adrian Mason who completed the 13.1 mile course in an excellent 76 mins said ‘So many businesses in Watford have sponsored me to take part in the run, so I knew I had to do well. It really motivated me and I was delighted to find that I came second in my age group and 81st overall’.

Adrian who is a Senior Manager at the RBS Commercial Office in Clarendon Road raised an amazing £3,600 for the Hospice mainly from his business contacts. David Vizard from Marshall Vizard Estate Agents in Station Road has only been running for 3 years. He really enjoyed the event and has raised £700 from friends, family and clients. ‘There was a fantastic atmosphere on the day which really helped me keep going and it was a lovely sunny day in the North East - almost too hot to run! Both men have been amazed at the response to their requests for support which they say is down to the fact that the Hospice is so well known and highly regarded. The other eight runners included two teams who were each running in memory of loved ones who had been cared for at The Peace Hospice.

The Hospice’s Corporate Development Manager Maggie Grand said ‘I am full of admiration for these wonderful people who choose to run for us. They train so hard and are full of determination to complete this challenge and also raise such a huge amount of money in the process. I would like to say a big thank you to every runner who took part.

The Peace Hospice, based in Watford, cares for people living with a terminal illness and their families from across South West Hertfordshire. It provides inpatient care, day care, an outpatient service, a hospice at home service as well as bereavement support. It plans to spend £3.5 million this year in both running and developing its services. It only receives 25% of this amount from the Health Service with the remaining 75% needing to come from charitable contributions. All the care it provides to its patients and their families is free.