Runner prepares for most grueling challenge yet

An endurance runner, who has already raised more than £15,000 for a children's hospice, is preparing for his most ambitious challenge yet.

in November, Alex Bance, 46, plans to run 380 miles (611km) in less than six days as he tackles the longest and oldest trail in England, the Greater Ridgeway National Trail.

If successful, Bance, from Salisbury, will have raised more than £20,000 for the charity, completing more than 1,000 fundraising miles for Julia's House since 2019.

"I am taking on this challenge because I want to help families facing unimaginable heartbreak - the knowledge that their child may not live into adulthood," he said.

Since 2019, Bance has completed a series of increasingly demanding endurance events, raising money to help support children with life-shortening conditions and their families across Wiltshire and Dorset.

In 2023, Bance broke the world record for running for 24 hours while blindfolded and wearing noise cancelling headphones, to raise money for the hospice.

And in 2024, he ran 251 miles from Great Ormond Street Hospital, in London, to the hospice's Devizes office.

Completing the Greater Ridgeway National Trail in reverse, Bance will set off from Hunstanton, in Norfolk, on 2 November before aiming to arrive in Lyme Regis, Dorset, by lunchtime on 7 November.

Bance said the Greater Ridgeway challenge will be the biggest distance he has ever done.

"It's a long way and very remote, so it will be grueling," he said.

"With it being November, the nights will be longer, and I'll have to carry a lot of gear in case the weather turns.

Bance said although the challenges can be mentally and physically challenging, he knows the pain will end in a few days.

"The families that Julia's House care for don't have a choice about the challenges they're facing. And if I can help them, even in a small way, it's all worth it."

Julia's House relies on donations to fund about 92% of its life-changing care.

The hospice said Bance's fundraising efforts to date could fund three days of compassionate end-of-life care from the Julia's House team.

"Alex's commitment is nothing short of extraordinary," said Nicky Clack, Julia's House fundraising assistant.

"Year after year he continues to dream bigger, push harder and inspire those around him, all to help the local children and families that we care for.

"We are incredibly grateful for everything he has achieved already and will be cheering him on for his biggest challenge yet."

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