Wiltshire runner prepares for 380-mile charity challenge for Julia’s House
Alex Bance aims to raise funds with ambitious Greater Ridgeway run
A Salisbury endurance runner is gearing up for his most ambitious charity challenge yet, tackling the 380-mile Greater Ridgeway National Trail to raise funds for Julia's House Children's Hospice.
Setting off today, Alex Bance will run the trail in reverse, starting from Hunstanton, Norfolk, and aiming to reach Lyme Regis, Dorset, by 7th November.
Throughout his journey, Alex will take a brief detour in Devizes to visit the Julia's House hospice building.
Alex has been raising money for the hospice for the last seven years. They provide care for children with life-shortening and life threatening conditions. Despite never needing to use the charity himself, he said it's incredibly important he supports them.
"You walk out of that hospice and think I don't actually have any real problems in life. When you've stood in an end of life suite for a child, it really humbles you. And I was kind of struck by just how unfair it was on these families."
With this challenge, Alex stands to surpass two remarkable milestones, raising over £20,000 and completing over 1,000 fundraising miles for Julia's House since 2019.
However, that £20,000 equates to just three days of end of life care, and 92% of the hospice's funding comes from donations.
Alex shares what motivates him to keep going when he begins to struggle in challenges: "I voluntarily put myself in this position. This will be over for me, and I'm back to normal life.
"The people I'm raising money for didn't voluntarily put themselves in that position, and it never ends, you know?"
Alex, who is a sports therapist, has completed numerous endurance events, including a 100km charity run and setting a Guinness World Record for running blindfolded all in support of the hospice.