On June 7th, we’re taking on the Lake Windermere 50km Ultra Marathon - not just for the challenge, but in memory of the loved ones we’ve lost, and the charities that supported our families in their darkest hours.

This isn’t just a run.

It’s a promise kept.

It’s a tribute.

And it’s our way of giving back.

We each carry a name, a memory, and a cause in our hearts.

We’re asking for your support to help us raise funds for three organisations doing life-changing work.

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Kieran Quinlan - In Honour of My Aunty Ellen (Birmingham Hospice)

Eighteen months ago, I knew nothing about Birmingham Hospice. That changed when my aunty Ellen was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer in December 2023, at just 64 years old. Devastatingly, we lost her only 12 weeks later.

In her final weeks, she was admitted to the Selly Park site of Birmingham Hospice (formerly St Mary’s). The care she received was truly extraordinary. One of the nurses said:

“It’s our turn to care for Ellen now. You go back to being her daughter and sister, not her carers.”

That moment brought peace and relief to our family. Ellen was treated with dignity, love, and compassion until her final breath. Her daughter described the experience as being “caught by angels.”

Even after Ellen passed, the hospice continued to support our family with specialist grief counselling.

Before she died, Ellen made one final request to me:

“Please raise money for this place. People need to know about it.”

So I’m honouring her dying wish - running 50km in her memory to raise funds for Birmingham Hospice, to help them continue their incredible work.

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Harvey Ainsworth — In Memory of Helen (St. Giles Hospice)

I’m running for St. Giles Hospice, in memory of my girlfriend Amy’s mum, Helen, who passed away from cancer when Amy was just 15.

Helen spent her final days in the care of St. Giles. The compassion, support, and dignity they gave Amy’s family during that heartbreaking time made a lasting impact.

I’ve completed ultra marathons before - but this one is different.

This one means more.

I’m running not for the personal challenge, but to give back to the hospice that supported Amy during the most painful moment of her life.

This run is for Helen, for Amy, and for every family who needs the support St. Giles provides.

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Ben Goldingay — In Memory of My Dad Ian (Prostate Cancer UK)

My dad, Ian, was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2021. By 2022 it was declared terminal, and in 2023, we lost him. He was just 56 years old.

Watching something so brutal slowly take away the person you love is something no one should have to go through. It changes everything.

That’s why I’m running this ultra marathon - to raise money for Prostate Cancer UK, and to help other families avoid experiencing the same pain.

This run is for my dad - and for every father, son, and family fighting this disease.

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How the Donations Work

This fundraiser supports three charities:

• Birmingham Hospice (Kieran)

• St. Giles Hospice (Harvey)

• Prostate Cancer UK (Ben)

All donations will be tracked and split fairly between the three causes.

If you'd like to support a specific runner or cause, please mention their name in your donation message - and we’ll make sure the funds reach the right place, otherwise we will split your donation evenly between the three charities.

Together, we can honour our loved ones and we can give back to the charities that stepped in when we needed them most.

Thank you for reading, supporting, and donating.

- Kieran, Harvey & Ben