Milestone birthday running challenge sees Fiona Ritchie and friends raise £10,000 for Pendleside Hospice

To mark her 50th birthday earlier this year, Fiona Ritchie set herself the challenge of running 5km every day for 50 consecutive days in support of Pendleside Hospice.

Completing five laps of the 1km route around Barrowford Reservoir each day, Fiona, a former journalist for the Nelson Leader, wanted to dedicate as many of the 50 runs as possible to someone who had been cared for by the hospice.

Friends, families and supporters were invited to sponsor a day in memory of a loved one. Each person shared a favourite song and a few words about the individual they were remembering, allowing Fiona to create a daily social media tribute featuring photographs, memories and footage from each run.

What began as a fundraiser for the hospice’s Corporate Challenge quickly became something much bigger.

“Within a short space of time, all 49 dedicated days had been filled,” said Fiona. “Every day we had groups of five, ten or more people joining the runs to remember someone special or simply to support the challenge.

“One day we had around 30 people as the Pendle Trail Running group joined the laps as part of their route.”

The emotional journey reached its finale on Day 50, when more than 100 people gathered at Barrowford Reservoir to complete the final laps together in memory of everyone honoured throughout the challenge.

“I was absolutely blown away by the turnout,” a proud Fiona said. “It demonstrated the incredible strength of our Pendle and Burnley communities and just how much Pendleside Hospice has touched so many people, in so many different ways.”

Originally aiming to raise £1,500, Fiona has already raised almost £10,000, with Gift Aid taking the total even higher. Combined with the £2,161 (plus Gift Aid) Fiona raised through the Race Across Pendle event, alongside her friend Jenn Maud, her total fundraising efforts are expected to reach around £15,000 in support of Pendleside Hospice, which is based in Reedley. And Fiona was really moved that many of the fellow Race Across Pendle challengers turned up to support her on her final laps.

Reflecting on the whole experience, Fiona said: “It has been a really emotional challenge. While there were tears and so many memories of those no longer with us, the runs were also incredibly uplifting.

“There was so much laughter, new friendships were formed, and there was a real sense of people coming together for a common purpose. It has been truly very special for us all.

“Many of us went on to Bistro 117 in Barrowford after the final run as they had kindly donated the space for us, everyone has been incredibly kind and supportive.”

Fiona is keen to reach her £10,000 fundraising milestone for the challenge and is encouraging anyone who would like to support Pendleside Hospice to make a donation.

Donations can be made via Fiona's JustGiving page: https://www.justgiving.com/page/fiona-ritchie-9