Keighley doctors Rob Holt and Dave Thompson are swapping their scrubs for running vests to help raise money to support Manorlands Hospice.
The GPs, who have been best friends since they trained together at Leeds Medical School, will be joining thousands of runners on the streets of the capital for the London Marathon on 23rd April.
Dr Holt, 37, said: “Sue Ryder Manorlands Hospice provides a wonderful palliative care service that we rely on every single week. Every hour, day or night, the hospice staff are there to support both of us as GPs, and our patients directly. They offer guidance, advice and care to help us as doctors provide end-of-life care and medicine in the community.
“This is provided alongside the supportive and compassionate care they give to people in the last days of their lives within the hospice.
“It’s vital that we have this service. From my own experience, when it is two o’clock in the morning and you are the doctor covering the whole city and you have a patient who is really struggling, knowing that you have access to palliative care specialists, who are always so happy to help, is invaluable.”
Knowing that the government provides only one-third (37%) of the funding that hospices need, Rob and Dave were keen to do what they could to raise much-needed funds.
Dr Thompson, 33, added: “The idea that Sue Ryder Manorlands Hospice does everything it does, as a charity, has always amazed us, so when the opportunity came up to run the London Marathon there was no doubt that we would do it to support them.”
This will be Rob and Dave’s first-ever marathon, and Rob admits that it is something he never thought he would do. “Dave has always been a keen runner and super fit," he said. "But I would describe myself as the couch potato! During lockdown I was eating rubbish and put on quite a bit of weight, but after restrictions lifted, I decided to do something about it and take up running.
“Since then it’s become a hobby I really enjoy and I have completed Couch to 5k and then Couch to 10k. I am making a point now and will be taking on both the London and Leeds marathons this year!”
Hayley Ibbotson, Senior Community Fundraiser at Sue Ryder Manorlands Hospice, said: “We’re so grateful to Rob and Dave for choosing to run the London Marathon to support us and we’re wishing them the very best for the race day in a couple of months’ time.
“Our Sue Ryder Nurses and healthcare teams have always been there for patients and families at the most difficult time of their lives. With the help from our generous supporters who fundraise for us, our teams can continue to go above and beyond, filling last days with love and helping to give families a better goodbye.”
Dave and Rob have so far raised almost £5,000. You can donate to their fundraising via https://www.justgiving.com/team/DrRobDrDaveRunLondonMoarathon2023.
For more information about Sue Ryder Manorlands Hospice, visit sueryder.org/manorlands.
Police step up patrols after vandalism in Glusburn
Wharfedale Scout District celebrates St George’s Day
Ilkley dental practice new Principle Trust patron
Classical music to stay at Ilkley & Keighley stations
Northern trains named among least reliable operators
One year anniversary for “invaluable” forces Breakfast Club
Date set for Ilkley's Annual Town Meeting
Medal haul for Ilkley Swimming Club
Be part of this historic moment in Ilkley’s story
Addingham man conducts wedding in German in Skipton's twin town
Visionary composer Andrew Wasylyk to perform in Ilkley this September
Calls to 'respect the moorland' following theft of signs on Ilkley Moor
Fourth event in the CAI series Your World, Your Vote
St George celebrated in Keighley
Keighley Playhouse Presents: Jack Popplewell's Hilarious Comedy "Busybody"
Friends of Ilkley Rail Station holds first volunteer day
Spring opening announced for Ilkley Lido
Go behind the scenes with 'Mr Bates vs the Post Office' writer
Plans approved to bring former Skipton department store back into use
Celebrate the beauty of cherry blossom at Keighley’s Cliffe Castle
