"What I like about this challenge is the risk of catastrophic failure,” says Alex Bance.
The Wiltshire sports therapist plans to run 251 miles completely unaided over three days to raise £1,000 for Julia’s House children’s hospice.
Julia's House, which cares for families of the most seriously ill children across Wiltshire and Dorset, is struggling financially and faces an estimated £1m budget deficit this year. Meanwhile demand for our specialist support continues to grow, as medical advances mean that more children are living for longer with more complex care needs.
Alex has run 100-mile challenges before for Julia's House and last year broke the world record for the longest distance running while blindfolded, completing 72 miles in 24 hours. But the 44-year-old says this will be his most extreme fundraising mission to date.
Alex’s ultra running challenge, called Julia’s Journey, follows the career path of Julia Perks, a former paediatric nurse whose dream was to create a support network for families of children with life-limiting conditions.
Julia Perks sadly died of cancer before her dream could be realised, but her friend Mike Wise took up the baton and a few years later Julia’s House children's hospice was founded in her name.
Starting on Sunday 25 August, Alex will run from Great Ormond Street Hospital in London, down to Julia’s House children’s hospice in Corfe Mullen, Dorset, and then up to our hospice in Devizes, Wiltshire. He estimates the run will take him three days and plans to cross the finish line at around midday on Wednesday 28 August.
Over the past five years, Alex has raised more than £5500 for Julia’s House. This could help fund two days of clinical care and nursing support for a child who is at the end of their life, or around 50 hours of respite sessions in families' homes to give parents a much-needed break.
“Each time I fundraise, I feel like I’ve got to ramp things up a bit,” said Alex, from Salisbury. “Last year, I had no idea if I’d be able to do it and it’s the same this year. I’ve run 100 miles a few times, but I’ve never done a distance like this.
“Just planning out the route has taken hours of research. I’ll be running completely on my own, so I’ll need to buy drinks and food as I go. If I can’t get hold of water, it will be a nightmare – I’ll knock on doors to ask for a drink if I need to. And if I need to sleep, it will be on the side of the track.”
Julia’s House children's hospice provides critical and compassionate care to families of the most seriously ill children in Wiltshire and Dorset – both in families’ homes and in the hospices. We are one of the lowest state-funded hospices in England and rely on donations to fund 92% of our vital service, which is provided completely free of charge to families.
Alex, who owns Spire Injury Clinic, said, “I’ve fundraised for Julia’s House for several years now. From the first time I walked around the hospice on an Open Day, I knew it was the place I wanted to raise money for. It’s incredible; it chokes me up just thinking about what the families go through and how the charity helps them. I’d rather spend my time doing some good and helping others if I can.”
Julia’s House Fundraising Assistant, Nicky Clack, said, “We can’t wait to cheer Alex over the finish line at our hospice in Devizes, and give him a welcome break after his mammoth run. Alex has been an incredible support for Julia’s House, and each time he dreams up a new challenge we’re blown away by his energy and enthusiasm.
“As a charity, Julia’s House relies almost entirely on donations to provide our lifeline of care for seriously ill children and their families. We’re hugely grateful to Alex for his fundraising efforts and for every person who supports him and makes a donation.”
Support Alex and make a donation to Julia’s House at his JustGiving page.
