Four brothers 'running for their mum' in the Torbay Half Marathon
The event takes place on Sunday
Last updated 18th Sep 2026
A record-four thousand people have entered Torbay Half Marathon and 10k, including four brothers running in memory of their mum
Drivers are being warned there are road closures, with thousands of people also expected to attend to cheer on participants along the route.
This year's main charity partner is again Rowcroft Hospice , with hundreds of runners wearing purple shirts as they take part.
Torquay’s Perry brothers - Josh, Jack, Jamie and Thomas are taking on the Torbay Half Marathon to raise vital funds for Rowcroft Hospice, running in memory of Andrea, who received the hospice’s specialist care in 2018.
Josh was just 14 when his mum was diagnosed with a Grade 4 glioblastoma. Less than a year later, she sadly died after receiving support from Rowcroft at home and in the hospice’s Inpatient Unit. Now, Josh and his brothers are running to give back to the hospice that supported their whole family through one of the most difficult times in their lives.
"Rowcroft was instrumental in Mum’s care and the support that my family received,” said Josh. “I got to spend ten amazing months with Mum, Dad and my brothers during that time, making memories that I will cherish for a lifetime - so every chance I get to do something to help the hospice, I will take with open arms.”
Reflecting on his family’s experience, Josh says the compassion shown by the Rowcroft team has stayed with him:
"Looking back, it was such a horrendous time for my family, but it was made that little bit easier by the incredible support from Rowcroft. I’m not sure words can ever describe the impact Rowcroft has had on my life - whether that was the doctors and nurses who would look after Mum day-in day-out, the cooks who cooked us extra food while we were there, the gardeners who made sure there was a space where we could play cricket in the grounds, or the doctor who took the time to come back to the hospice outside of his working hours to explain to a confused 14-year-old boy what was going on.
"There are so many people who deserve a thank you. The support of Rowcroft wasn’t just for Mum - it was for my whole family."
When the training gets tough, Josh reminds himself why he’s running.
"Firstly, I know that what I’m doing doesn’t come anywhere near what Mum had to go through. She was so incredible in the fight she showed, to stay strong for me and my brothers until the end, so I think going for a run is a relatively small ask. Secondly, it’s for my brothers - being able to do this together and sharing memories of Mum along the way is really special. And finally, it’s for the staff at Rowcroft. Even eight years later, the impact they had on my family sits at the heart of so much of what I do.”
For Josh, running the Torbay Half Marathon is about honouring his mum’s memory while helping other families receive the same compassionate care.
"I know that I am in a better place because of Rowcroft and the support they gave me. I also know that hospice care costs money to deliver, so anything I can do to help give back, I will gladly do. As a community it’s our responsibility to ensure that Rowcroft can continue offering their life-changing support into the future.”
Rowcroft Hospice Fundraiser Molly Billingsley said: “We’re so grateful to Josh and his brothers for taking on the Torbay Half Marathon in memory of their mum. Their story is a reminder of the impact compassionate hospice care can have on an entire family – something that often stays with people forever.
“We wish them the very best of luck with their incredible challenge, and we hope their story inspires others to support Rowcroft too. Although places for this year’s Torbay Half Marathon are now full, we’d love people to take a look at the many fundraising challenges and events we have coming up and join Team Rowcroft!”