Team Devine complete Windsor Half Marathon

Fiona Devine, CEO and Co-founder of Alexander Devine, was one of 22 runners who took on the challenge on Sunday 29 September in Windsor Great Park to raise money for our children’s hospice service. Despite battling an injury, she completed the course encouraged and supported all the way by her running partner James Parkinson, grandson of our founder patron, Sir Michael Parkinson. James, who runs JMP Fitness, also helped Fiona and community fundraiser, Julia Philipson, train for the event.

Commenting on the training and day itself, Fiona said:

As my lovely running buddy Julia often quoted on our early morning runs, “it’s not the destination it’s the journey” and how right she was. 

We were so fortunate to do much of our training in and around our hospice neighbourhood, noticing many beautiful runs through the 123 acreage of Ockwells Park and discovering the ancient and tranquil nature reserve it also hosts.  We saw many wonderful things including a flutist, tank, peacock and deer, snowdrops, a peacock, a tank, poppies, a flautist, vintage airplanes, blackberries, a nun, fields of corn and so much more.

Our weekend training was in Windsor Great Park and the home of the Windsor half marathon.  A stunning location and a challenging course, there are a few testing hills and some that sneak right up on you!  We always felt so humbled to watch the red deer and the long horn cattle in the early morning stillness.  We often thought how wonderful it would be if the great oak trees could tell their stories.

 We were so thrilled to have a number of runners with us this year and I owe so much to my running partner on the day James Parkinson, an old knee injury struck at mile 6 and he literally kept me going.  Thank you so much James!

Thank you to all those that ran on our behalf, I hope they know the good that they have done and feel incredibly proud in running a spectacular but challenging Windsor Half marathon course. Well done!” 

Faced with less than ideal weather conditions and a rather undulating course, Team Devine completed the 13.1 mile course and in doing so raised over £12,000. A fantastic amount that could fund over 21 day care sessions at our hospice for a local child with life-limiting or life-threatening condition.

Amongst the team was one of our trustees, Fraser Silvey, along with friends of the charity such as Bill Dearling, Matthew Bracher and Jack Richardson. We were thrilled that so many of employees from our corporate supporters also joined Team Devine including Open Health and Alfresco Software, who kindly sponsored the marquee at the event.

A huge well done to everyone that ran and thank you to all the wonderful supporters who came along to provide much-needed motivation on the day!

Need our help?

The word hospice should not seem scary and getting support from us doesn’t have to mean a child’s death is imminent. Helping to enrich the lives of the children and their families is at the heart of our service, our end of life and bereavement support is just a part of what we do.

Our children’s hospice service covers the whole of Berkshire and into surrounding counties. If you think your child may be eligible for our services, please do get in touch.

Alexander Devine on Facebook

One of the greatest and most precious gifts our charity receives is time 💙💛We are fortunate to have 155 amazing volunteers who collectively donate around 2,000 hours of their time each year. Without their vital support, we would not be there for children and families that need us. This #VolunteersWeek we will be celebrating what inspires our volunteers to make their unique contributions to our charity, whether at the hospice or out in the community. If our volunteers inspire you to gift your time, you can learn more about volunteering with our charity here: www.alexanderdevine.org/volunteer#InspiringVolunteers #localcharity ... See MoreSee Less
View on Facebook
It was lovely to welcome Jon Davey, Community Champion from Tesco in Dedworth Road Windsor, to our children’s hospice last week with a very generous donation of books for our next children’s book sale. We are so grateful for the ongoing support that Jon and his team give to Alexander Devine. Their kindness makes such a difference to our charity 💙💛Tesco #CommunityChampion ... See MoreSee Less
View on Facebook
With 3 weeks until #ChildrensHospiceWeek, will you help us #RockTheBlue?!🙋‍♀️ Sign up to receive your #RockTheBlue fundraising pack💡 Plan your blue themed activity or challenge💙 Raise money and make a difference to local children with life- limiting and life-threatening conditions 👉 Visit www.alexanderdevine.org/rocktheblue or email our friendly fundraising team for help with your BLUE-ming brilliant ideas: fundraising@alexanderdevine.org #fundraisingfun #localcharity #childrenshospiceservice ... See MoreSee Less
View on Facebook
Inspected and rated Good by Care Quality commission
Registered with Fundraising Regulator
Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice Service is the operating name of Alexander Devine Children’s Cancer Trust. A company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales No. 5757493

Copyright © 2019 Alexander Devine Children's Hospice Service. UK Registered Charity No. 1118947.