As a funeral director Jamie Richards knows just how important end-of-life care is – and now he’s putting his best foot forward to help make sure those who need it continue to receive support.

Jamie, from Pendles Funeral Services in Helston, will be running the Dublin Marathon later this month on Sunday, October 29 raising funds to support Marie Curie nurses in the south west.

It’s been four years since he last took part in a marathon – and a lot has changed since then.

Explaining why he is getting involved, Jamie said: “Four years – a Covid lockdown, marriage, baby and house move – on from my last marathon, I'll be running the Dublin City Marathon on October 29, 2023.

“Owing to lockdown, my last attempt ended in disappointment just weeks away from doing the Edinburgh Marathon, with all my training complete, so this is going to be very special!

“I'm representing Marie Curie, which is an amazing charity providing palliative care to terminally ill patients. “Needless to say, this is a cause worth supporting. I've spoken to many families who have experienced their care in the most challenging of situations and this has been a real source of comfort for them.

“I've also met with a Marie Curie nurse to discuss first-hand their work- what an inspiring person making a huge difference to our local community.

“Thank you so much for your generosity – I'll give it my all.”

Donations can be made online via www.justgiving.com/fundraising/jamie-richards1987

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Money raised will go towards Marie Curie’s work with end-of-life patients. Its teams support people through all aspects of dying, death and bereavement, campaigning for everyone to have the best experience possible at the end of their life.

The charity’s nurses and healthcare assistants work through the day and night in people’s homes, offering specialist care and support to people with any terminal illness, not just cancer.

Margaret Riley, chair of the Marie Curie Helston & The Lizard Fundraising Group, said: “We are really grateful to Jamie for supporting us to help ensure that we can continue to support even more people who wish to spend their final days in their own homes, amongst their loved ones.”