One of the Cornwall Hospice Care team of 27 taking part in next year’s London Marathon is Jade Hugo (36) from Luxulyan. She’s chosen to take on the marathon challenge in memory of her Dad and is starting from scratch having not run a distance before. She and her fellow runners from Cornwall will be hoping to beat the massive £87,954 raised for the healthcare charity by those who took part in this year’s London Marathon (2024).

The right time for a marathon challenge

Dad was at Mount Edgcumbe Hospice in 2018 and more recently my step-father spent time there,” explains Jade. ” I always knew I wanted to fundraise but then I had children and there was the pandemic. Now, I’m working for the charity and it seems like the right time. Initially I was thinking I’d do our half marathon Run Falmouth and I will be doing it as part of my training, but the opportunity for the London Marathon came up for me and I went for it. I’m absolutely loving my running so why not.”

Fundraising for a marathon challenge

The runners are expected to meet fundraising targets from £2,000 upwards. “It’s all a bit nerve wracking, the run and the fundraising. I wouldn’t say I’m scared by it, but it’s a lot of money we’re looking to raise but there’s lots of people supporting me. I’ve only ever done 5K and not a competitive race or anything like a marathon, that’s a massive challenge but I know I can do it.”

Dad would be proud of marathon challenge

Like many of the runners supporting Cornwall Hospice Care in 2025, it’s Jade’s personal experience of the end of life care the charity offers, that has driven her on.  “Dad would think it’s amazing. He loved London and he would be very proud. He would be supporting me the whole time for sure. He would have been the first person to say ‘you’ve got this’ and he would be there cheering me on without a shadow of a doubt.

Dad’s bravery will inspire me

He fought his cancer bravely and with a lot of compassionate care at the hospice, so I can absolutely do this. It’s only running, putting one foot in front of the other. I’ll be thinking of him and my children and everybody who’s helped me and that will get me through.”

Marathon runners are extraordinary people

Jane Appleton, Cornwall Hospice Care’s Events and Community Manager, says Jade and her fellow runners are extraordinary people; “It’s a big deal to take on one of the world’s most iconic marathons and I applaud each and every one of those who’ve taken a huge step and signed up to support our Cornish charity. We’ll be encouraging them through their training and on every mile of the 26 mile route and know their own personal stories will drive them on.”

Support Jade’s Marathon challenge

You can find out more about Jade’s challenge HERE

Learn more about Cornwall Hospice Care’s half marathon Run Falmouth HERE

Marathon images

The pictures below show Jade with her Dad Tim Clarey at her wedding in October 2017 and some of the Cornwall Hospice Care runners who’ll be taking part in the 2025 London Marathon taken when they first gathered for their initial briefing in September.