A BOURNEMOUTH man who lost his mother to Covid is taking part in 55 runs for the 55 days she spent in hospital alone.
James Keith will be running five kilometres every day for 55 days in a challenge “solely dedicated” to his mother, Beverley.
Beverley was admitted to Poole Hospital in November 2020 following a stroke, but contracted Covid during her stay.
Social distancing was in place at the time and so Beverley’s time with her family was extremely restricted.
She passed on January 21, 2021.
James said: “During her time in hospital mum spent a total of 55 days on her own.
“The fact that we were unable to see her was really difficult. We all really struggled with that, and I know that mum struggled in hospital without us.
“We got to see her for the last week, and a lot of people at that time weren’t able to see their family. There was an old guy next to us and he passed away on his own, with no one around him.
“It made us realise how much we needed her and how much she needed us.
“Although this challenge will be a real struggle for me, this will be incomparable to what my mum went through during those 55 days, and this will be solely dedicated to her.”
James completed his first run in the ‘Five4FiftyFive’ challenge on July 4 with his fiancé by his side.
He said: “I’m getting someone, or a group of people, to run with me on every day.”
But it is not just a personal challenge for James; he will be fundraising for the stroke rehabilitation ward at Poole Hospital, where Beverley remained throughout her stay.
Money raised will be directed at combatting loneliness on the ward, and James has already shared ideas for a garden space to be used by the patients, nurses and visiting families. He would also like to buy iPads for the ward, so that patients can Facetime family members.
He said: “There’s a few things we want to do with the money.
“Theres no real set money target just yet. I want to raise as much as I can.”
To support the challenge and make a donation visit https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/Five4FiftyFive?fbclid=IwAR1sQih-29DalJxB_IsUVZtXUdm_mk2lX8cjf0cLVoVfzy4wyATfmmImlXg
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