Lucie's marathon for her patients

A consultant nurse will take on a marathon next month to raise money for East Kent Hospitals Charity.

Lucie Rudd, who is joint clinical lead for end-of-life care across East Kent Hospitals, will run the Manchester marathon on Sunday, 27 April.

She has already raised £250 and is hoping for more to benefit patients receiving end-of-life care.

Lucie said: “It's been 14 years and two children since I ran a marathon, and my body feels 100 years older!

“Marathon training while working full time with a 10 and five year old has been tough, but it helps to know I am running for a reason.

“Our palliative and end-of-life care wards look after people at the end of their lives and those important to them, when they are not able to be at home or outside of hospital.

“As the consultant nurse with our hospital palliative care team, I have seen first-hand the difference the team on the wards can make.

“At what is the most difficult time for people and those important to them, being able to give care that sees the person, not the patient, recognising who they are in life and death is a privilege.”

The charity supports the wards by funding environmental improvements such as art, wall murals, recliner beds for family and friends, televisions and radios, to help create a calm and peaceful atmosphere for patients and their loved ones – including sometimes beloved pets.

The charity also funds the 3 Wishes Project, granting wishes to patients as they approach the end of their life. The wishes honour and celebrate the patient and as individual, and allows families to spend precious time together and create meaningful moments in their last hours and days.

You can add to Lucie’s sponsorship online. If you would like to sign up for an event to raise money for our charity, visit their website: https://www.ekhcharity.org.uk/events/