A TEAM from a Droitwich surgery is hoping GPs from across Worcestershire will join them to run for St Richard’s Hospice.

Droitwich doctor Manuel Villarreal came up with the idea and encouraged others from the Corbett Medical Practice and the Worcester Walk In Centre to run 5k to raise funds for the Worcestershire hospice.

More than half a dozen colleagues have already signed up for the challenge and will be running from Astwood Bank to Worcester Woods Country Park opposite the hospice to complete an impressive 50k between them on Saturday, July 14.

Manuel, who came to the UK from Colombia ten years ago, says it is important to realise that people who are struggling with serious illnesses such as cancer are on their own ‘patient journey’.

“As clinicians the main thing we want to do for people is to organise their health and do our best for them,” he said. “But we must also remember that each person is on their own personal journey and it must be all about the patient and how they feel. My mother died of colon cancer and cancer touches our lives every day. So I hope this unique challenge will raise a lot of money for St Richard’s which does such a fantastic job for local people.”

Dr Villarreal, who is 47 years old and is married to an English nurse, keeps himself fit by running five times a week and says his colleagues are already in training for the challenge.

“I am still busy emailing other surgeries and hope more people will join us,” said Manuel. If you would like to sponsor Dr Villarreal his email address is mvillarreal@nhs.net St Richard’s Hospice provides free specialist palliative care for patients living with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses and supports their families.

For more information visit strichards.org.uk