A WOKINGHAM resident has raised thousands of pounds for charity by running 100 kilometres in the space of a week.

Vicky Hammond, a mother of three from Wokingham, raised a total of £3,289 for a local children's hospice, Helen and Douglas House, by taking part in the virtual London Marathon and the Run to the Sea Ultramarathon within the same week, in early October.

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Vicky said: "Initially, I signed up for the London Marathon in April and it was postponed to October.

"On the original date, rather than sit and mope, my family and I took on a marathon with a difference - a family relay marathon.

"Each of my children - ran three miles each, my husband James ran seven miles and I finished with 10 miles.

"When the October race looked like it was going to be cancelled, I decided that I didn’t want to waste my training so signed up for my first ever ultra - Run to the Sea.

"This is a 50 kilometre run from Ringwood to Hengistbury Head. Once this decision was made, it was announced that the London Marathon would be a virtual race – hence my new challenge of 100k in a week!"

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As well as sponsorship money from the races, funds were also raised through holding a coffee morning, an online auction and through donations by loved ones.

Mrs Hammond added: "Helen & Douglas House is a local charity that has been the lifeline for many Wokingham families providing a home-from-home care for local terminally ill children and their families.

"They provide round-the-clock care in a warm and loving environment.

"Based in Oxford but supporting families from surrounding counties and as far as London, they care for babies and children up to the age of 18.

"Parents, brothers, sisters, and grandparents are all part of the Helen & Douglas House family.

"At the toughest time of their lives, families are given the time and space to enjoy the precious moments they have left with each other.

"In the midst of exhaustion and grief, they help them cope with their child’s final days. Your donations mean that families don’t have to face the unthinkable alone.

"It costs £3.6 million a year to run the hospice, and 85% of this comes from people donations.

"As a charity, they rely on your support to keep their doors open. Every donation makes a big difference to the help they can offer terminally ill children and families facing the devastating loss of a child.

"If you feel that you can, please sponsor me and help bring comfort and support to families going through every parent’s worst nightmare."

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Julia Woodcock from Helen & Douglas House said: "We are so grateful for the money Vicky has raised for us taking on these two running challenges.

"Without amazing supporters like this we simply wouldn’t be here to help local families with terminally ill children."

To donate, visit justgiving.com/fundraising/vickyjhammond.