The 'Hospice Shoe' and eight other runners are taking on this year's London Marathon in aid Jersey HospiceCare.

Karl Fitzgerald, the man inside the shoe, hopes to add to his fundraising pot for Jersey Hospice Care, which is already at £15,000. 

The charity will use the money raised to support islanders facing life-limiting conditions.

This could be in the In-Patient Unit, through its community services, or with bereavement counselling.

This is the second time the charity's mascot is running the London Marathon. Karl tells us what has motivated him to tie up his laces again.

"I'm trying to inspire people and put smiles on people's faces. When people see me they always seem to be happy and inspired and they love to see me running in this three feet high, five kilogram suit. 

"There's a massive crew of hospice heroes; everybody has a story about hospice and everyone is treated in the most amazing way and I just think it's important to give back and try and help.

"It's not easy and it's sore on the muscles, and you need to be a bit crazy to give it a go, but it's all worth it in the end.

"I'm going to be running the greatest sporting event of my life. It's the greatest marathon in the world. The support, the spectators, the people watching on TV, the people that have donated - that's what gets you up. That's your motivation, that's what makes it all worth it."

You can donate to Karl's fundraiser here.

Meet some of the other runners taking on the marathon this year for Jersey Hospice: 

Lizzie Inns

“I‘m running the London Marathon in memory of my Mum and Dad, Jill and Chris Cole, who passed away in the wonderful care of Jersey Hospice Care just a year apart in 2019 and 2020.

"When Dad was referred to the In-Patient Unit at Jersey Hospice Care I didn’t know what to expect as I had never been to a hospice before, but the team were amazing from the moment Dad arrived to the day he passed.

"The staff, the volunteers, the facilities, and even the atmosphere – it felt like such a positive environment despite everything.

"I never expected I would be returning to Hospice so soon with Mum when she also became ill. We all know losing our parents is inevitable, but to lose them so quickly and so close together was shocking and extremely tough to deal with.

"I found the strength to cope through the support of my family, friends, and colleagues, and I also had help from the Jersey Hospice Care Bereavement team – who organised counselling sessions and offered ongoing support should I need it."

You can donate to Lizzie's fundraiser here.

Fiona MacKinnon-Fox and Jodie Botterill

“Jodie and I will be running the London 2024 Marathon in memory of Sylvie, our friend, partner, and team-mate who lost her courageous battle with cancer in September 2022 – she was only 34 years old.

"Jersey Hospice Care provided invaluable care to Sylvie and her family/friends during her last few weeks with us and we would like to raise as much money as we can to ensure this charity can continue the amazing work and support they provide to islanders every single day.”

You can donate to Fiona and Jodie's fundraiser here.

Simon Fanning

“As many of you will be aware – and indeed a large number of you have joined previous challenges – I walked (with my good friend Paul Turrell) almost 900 miles from John O’Groats to Land’s End in 2020, and then in reverse in 2021, and the almost 500 miles of El Camino in 2023, with the primary aim of raising money for the charities run by a good friend, Mike Palfreman.

"This year, rather than walking extreme distances, I will be running the London Marathon in support of Jersey Hospice Care.”

You can donate to Simon's fundraiser here.