Haniyah De Mello

Myton Hospice has given me the incredible opportunity to run the London Marathon as part of their Charity Team.

Now everyone knows that I love running. But this time I want every mile to mean a little bit more. I want to push myself further than I ever have before and, if I'm honest, probably question my life choices along the way.

Over eight months, I’ll be taking on 9 races, including two marathons, multiple 10Ks and half marathons, and finishing with my first ever 50K ultra:

January - Warwick Half Marathon
February - Wolverhampton 10K
March - Barcelona Marathon
April - Regency 10K & London Marathon
May - Two Castles 10K
June - Leamington Half Marathon
July - Draycote Half Marathon
August - Fox & Hounds 50K Ultra

I love running. But not even this much.

I’m taking on this challenge to raise money for Myton Hospice, supporting the incredible work they do to provide compassionate care and support to people living with life-limiting illnesses, as well as their families and loved ones.

Myton provides care both in its Inpatient Units and out in the community, helping people and their families through some of the most difficult times of their lives.

It costs over £15 million every year to provide these services free of charge to patients and their loved ones. With less than 20% of its funding coming from the NHS, Myton needs to raise more than £12 million this year to continue providing this vital care.

More people than ever need access to hospice care, and tragically, too many people on the waiting list for a bed at Myton will die before they are able to access one.

As the only provider of hospice inpatient beds in Coventry and Warwickshire, the demand is huge.

That is why I’m taking on the London Marathon - and everything that comes before and after it.

I want to help raise the money Myton needs to be there for everyone who needs its care, now and in the future.

Every donation, no matter how big or small, can make a difference. Your support could help fund:

£94  one adult counselling session
£360 Myton at Home for one patient for one day
£450 an inpatient bed for one day
£545 the required drugs for one patient

There will be early mornings, long runs, tired legs, sore muscles, missing toenails and plenty of moments where I’ll wonder why I signed myself up for this ludicrously ambitious challenge.

But knowing that every mile is helping raise money for such an important cause will keep me going.

10K → Half Marathon → Marathon → Marathon → 50K Ultra.

Eight months. 141.4 miles. 9 races.

One challenge. All for Myton.

If you’d like to support me, I’d be incredibly grateful for any donation, no matter how big or small. And if you can’t donate, sharing my challenge, following along or simply cheering me on will mean just as much.