Alex Brunt will be running 51 miles in one day, this March, in memory of his dad, Richard Brunt, to raise vital funds for St Elizabeth Hospice.

Taking place on 24 March, which would have been Richard's 75th birthday, Alex's route will see him run from Sudbourne Marshes, passing through Woodbridge, Washbrook, Harkstead and Bucklesham, before finishing at Kirton & Falkenham Village Hall, near where his parents lived.

Richard received support from St Elizabeth Hospice during the final week of his life, before his death on 14 October in 2023 from bile duct cancer - also known as cholangiocarcinoma.

Alex, who is from Nacton, said: "The support and care St Elizabeth Hospice gave Dad and our whole family was incredible and we wanted to do what we could to raise money for the hospice to say 'thank you,' but to also make sure families continue to receive such amazing help at difficult times in their lives.

"I do run to keep fit, both physically and mentally, and as a PE teacher I need to be active for my job. However, I wanted to 'go big' in memory of Dad and really push myself to fundraise. 

"The challenge is very personal to our family, as I will be running through a number of Dad's favourite shooting haunts in Suffolk, as well as running past Woodbridge Rugby Club, where Dad was a founding member back in the 1960's.

Alex with dad Richard (Picture: St Elizabeth ospice)

"My sisters, Louise and Harriet, will also be running alongside me at different points of the route and my wife, Caroline, will be supporting us by bike. Dad was a generous, jolly and well-loved character who was honest and hard-working his whole life, and I hope to do him proud with this challenge in aid of great causes."

Funds raised by Alex's challenge will go towards the Alan Morement Memorial Fund - the UK's only charity dedicated solely to research into cholangiocarcinoma – and to St Elizabeth Hospice. An independent Suffolk charity, which every year delivers specialist palliative care to more than 4,000 people living with a progressive or life-limiting illness, and their families, throughout East Suffolk, Great Yarmouth and Waveney.

Kelly Nekrews, Community Fundraiser at St Elizabeth Hospice, said: "Thank you and best of luck to Alex for taking on this incredible endurance challenge for the hospice. 

"Every penny raised will make such a difference to the hospice as we continue to evolve and expand our services to support more patients and their loved ones throughout East Suffolk, Great Yarmouth and Waveney."

To donate towards Alex's challenge visit www.givewheel.com/fundraising/1876/run-for-richard

To find out more about St Elizabeth Hospice call 01473 723600 or visit www.stelizabethhospice.org.uk.