Runners raise vital funds for hospices with 4x4x48 challenge

Springhill Hospice

A group of five runners have raised over £5,000 for two local hospices with a 4x4x48 challenge.

Matthew Hernon, Ryan Miskella, Al Chew, Lewis Eadsforth and Sam Wright ran 48km in 48 hours, running 4km every four hours between Saturday 27 March and Sunday 28 March.

The 4x4x48 challenge was born by retired Navy Seal and ultrarunner David Goggins – running four miles every four hours in 48 hours (4x4x48).

At the time of publication, the five have now raised £5,766 to be shared by Rochdale’s Springhill Hospice and Dr Kershaw’s Hospice in Oldham, both of which were hit financially hard by the pandemic.

Ryan Miskella said: "A few of the lads that are doing the run had grandparents who were treated at Springhill Hospice so we are running in memory of each of our family members."

A purpose-built facility which opened in 1989, Springhill Hospice provides skilled and compassionate palliative care of the highest quality across the borough of Rochdale.

It offers specialist palliative care to patients with life limiting illnesses through the 16 bed In-Patient Unit, Specialist Community Service, 24-Hour Advice Line and Hospice at Home Care. In addition, Springhill offers Day Hospice services including Complementary Therapies and Bereavement and Counselling Support.

Requiring over £3.2 million each year to remain open, the funds provided will help Springhill Hospice provide the highest standard of physical, emotional, and spiritual care for patients with life-limiting illnesses.

With their charity shops temporarily closed and annual events cancelled, it is vital that the community continues to support Rochdale’s only hospice throughout these unprecedented times.

Donations can be made via GoFundMe until Friday 2 April:

• www.gofundme.com/f/4x4x48-charity-running-challenge