Two Mountbatten Nurses, one from Mountbatten’s community team and one from the hospice’s inpatient unit, are training hard to take part in this year’s ABP Southampton Marathon event – raising funds for Island families facing death, dying and bereavement.

Vicky Scovell leads Mountbatten’s Care at Home team, which provides domiciliary (personal) care to people who prefer to die in the familiar environment of their own homes, surrounded by loved ones and with 24/7 support from Mountbatten’s team of nurses and carers.

Theresa McNamara leads the inpatient unit, a 16-bed facility where support includes getting difficult symptoms under control before returning home, rehabilitation and care when illness is advanced at the end of someone’s life.

Both Vicky and Theresa are keen runners and, despite working for Mountbatten, enjoy spending their leisure time training to raise funds to also support the charity’s work. They will take on the ABP Southampton Half Marathon on Sunday 5 May, a 13.1mile closed road route through the heart of the city – as well as Walk the Wight with Mountbatten just one week later on 12 May.

Mountbatten Nurse Vicky knows what it means to both receive and provide care, and takes part in fundraising events in memory of her mum, dad and mother-in-law. Vicky said: “Dad and Maureen were cared for in Mountbatten Hospice and my mum was looked after at home by the community team. So we now walk with them in our hearts as we stride out to raise money for the amazing organisation Mountbatten is, raising vital funds so they can carry on supporting the Island community.”

Mountbatten Nurse Theresa, for whom it will be her first ever half-marathon, said: “We would be so very grateful for sponsorship; your contribution will make an impact whether you are able to donate £5 or £500 – every bit helps. Thank you so much for your support which means that we can continue to be here for you and those you love, to help you live well and die at peace in the place you choose.”

Nigel Hartley said: "We are indebted to our Island community who directly fund our Mountbatten Nurses, whether they support people in their own homes, out in our community or in our hospice building. We don't currently receive any funding from national charities to pay for our nursing team, and it is humbling to see our nurses giving back to their community in this way. We will be cheering them both on loudly!"

Anyone who would like to support the Mountbatten Nurses can donate on Facebook, on JustGiving or contact the Fundraising Team on (01983) 217300.