Nurse set to run 113 miles to boost mental health and raise money for charity

A caring nurse is set to go the extra mile and run a gruelling 113-mile race to raise vital funds for Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust’s Better Lives charity.

Team Facilitator Emily Hosker will take part in the spine challenger race from this Saturday to Monday from Derbyshire to Hawes.

The nurse, who works for the Care Trust, has also set herself the challenge of taking part in the race in memory of her late father who passed away in 2021.

Emily said: “I have been running for around 10 years, having previously completed many marathons, half marathons and 10k runs. Running is a go to for my own mental health when I need a boost.

“When I lost my dad in 2021, I realised how short life is. I know my dad would love me doing this, as a dalesman he was always adventuring around the hills. He always said to me, ‘grasp every opportunity you can, have a zest for life and make the most out of every opportunity’, he said that when I asked him why he had joined the army and I will never forget those words.”

The spine challenger race is a non-stop, 108-mile race but comes to 113-miles with diversions and has a time limit of 60 hours across the Pennine Way.

Emily will be taking on the challenge whilst carrying a 32-litre backpack full of food, water and extra kit to support her throughout the run.

The keen runner added: “I decided to try and raise some funding for the Better Lives charity, as they aim to increase the care within the Trust through charity events to improve the physical and mental wellbeing of everyone involved in the Trust.

“This is very important to me as running supports my mental health to escape from work and life.”

To donate to the Better Lives charity and support Emily taking on the spine challenger run visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/emily-hosker1.

The charity raises funds to support its services, staff and patients to enhance patient care and go over and above the core facilities it offers.  

Find out more about the charity: www.bdct.nhs.uk/better-lives-charity/.