In an inspiring display of endurance and charitable commitment, Jennie Waters is set to tackle a monumental 100-mile ultramarathon to support Moya Cole Hospice and Macmillan. This will mark her inaugural attempt at such a gruelling distance, with the ambitious goal of completing it in under 30 hours.
A Personal Connection to the Cause
Jennie holds a special familial tie to the hospice, as she is the great-niece of Moya Cole, the individual after whom the hospice is named and who played a pivotal role in its co-founding. Her decision to include Moya Cole Hospice as a beneficiary stemmed from her family's discovery of the rebranding of St Ann's Hospice to Moya Cole Hospice last October, adding a deeply personal dimension to her fundraising efforts.
Embracing the Challenge
Reflecting on her motivation, Jennie shared, "It's really good to challenge yourself. My husband has completed a couple of 100-mile ultramarathons. While it's not something that ever really appealed to me, it's good to do something that scares you because you don't truly know what you're capable of until you try." She brings some experience from a couple of 50-mile runs but acknowledges this event as a significant step up, particularly due to the demanding terrain.
The Daunting Route in Shropshire
The ultramarathon will take place in Shropshire on July 25, 2026, featuring a route with over 17,000 feet of elevation. To put this into perspective, that's akin to climbing approximately two-thirds of the way up Mount Everest, adding an extra layer of difficulty to the already formidable distance.
Rigorous Preparation Regimen
In preparation for this extreme physical test, Jennie is focusing on strength and conditioning. She explained her training approach: "Once your strength is built up, you can start to focus on increasing your mileage. It'll probably take me six months to build up my mileage slowly. Recovery from long runs takes a considerable amount of time, so I'll be supplementing some miles with biking because it's low impact and aids in strength and conditioning." This balanced strategy aims to ensure she is adequately prepared for the endurance required.
Supporting Moya Cole Hospice's Vital Work
Moya Cole Hospice provides holistic care to patients with life-limiting illnesses, offering a comprehensive range of services. These include inpatient care, day therapy, and supportive outpatient services from its locations in Heald Green, Stockport, and Little Hulton, Salford.
The hospice teams extend their care beyond these sites through various community and outreach programmes. Key services encompass:
- Hospice at Home care available in Salford and Trafford, allowing patients to receive support in their own residences.
- A Community Specialist Palliative Care Team operating in Salford.
- A dedicated homelessness palliative care service in Manchester.
- A 24-hour telephone advice line accessible to patients, carers, and healthcare professionals across Salford, Manchester, Trafford, and Stockport.
Jennie's ultramarathon not only represents a personal athletic milestone but also serves as a powerful fundraiser for these essential hospice services, highlighting the community's ongoing support for palliative care initiatives.
