A WORCESTER youngster has raised more than £1,200 for the hospice which cared for his granddad by taking on a two-mile run.
Felix Hodgetts decided to run the St Richard’s Hospice Santa Dash in memory of his granddad Mike, who died in November 2018 after a battle with cancer which saw him cared for by the Worcester-based hospice during the last months of his life.
In December 2018, the five-year-old – along with his dad Chris and aunt Cath – decided to take on the Santa Dash to remember their much-loved granddad and dad.
“I decided I would run as fast as I could because the faster I ran the more money I would raise,” said Felix, who has a younger sister called Immy.
“It was so much fun but really hard work. When we finished we got given a medal, a hot chocolate and a mince pie. It was brilliant.”
Felix has decided to run every year to remember his granddad and hopes his sister – and the rest of his family will join him.
The young fund-raiser was joined by 230 other Santas for the run along the river Severn in Worcester – helping to raise a combined total of more than £8,500 for the hospice’s care to patients with serious, progressive illnesses, their families and bereaved people.
Proud dad Chris said: “In the whole time Mike was with St Richard’s, the fun-loving staff brightened every day for Mike and the entire family.
“During the last months of his life he was lovingly cared for by the team at St Richard’s Hospice. For that and the truly exceptional care the hospice gave him, we can never truly express our gratitude.”
Since completing the run, Felix has worked with his dad to write a story exploring his memories of his granddad.
Visit www.strichards.org.uk/five-year-old-felix-raises-funds-for-hospice to read his story.
