First time fundraiser Kacey Burke raised £1,185 for Greenwich & Bexley Community Hospice at last year’s 2.62 mile Mini Marathon for kids around Royal Greenwich Park.

Kacey was one of 700 children aged 5-16 taking part in the annual fundraiser which last year boosted charity funds by £34,647. This year the Hospice hopes to raise £40,000, enough to enable its doctors and nurses to provide specialist care to Hospice patients for one whole week.

Kacey and her six-year-old sister Charleigh from Erith in Kent will join the hordes of young mini marathon runners at this year’s event on Sunday 19th April and Kacey says she’s really looking forward to it.

“Last year was my first mini marathon,” said Kacey, “I really enjoyed it knowing what I was doing would help people at the Hospice.

“What I enjoyed the most was the start and the finish, both were really exciting, my family came to watch me run which made me even more excited!

“I like to think I'm helping the Hospice by raising as much money as I can, both my mum and dad have lost close friends that have been cared for by Greenwich & Bexley Community Hospice so raising money in this way is my way of giving something back.”

Community Fundraiser, Augusta Adu, said: “Kacey and all the children who took part in last year’s Mini Marathon are a true inspiration; we can’t thank them enough for all their hard work. The money they raised has made a huge difference to the lives of local people. Every child signing up for this year’s Mini Marathon should feel really proud of themselves and we hope they have just as much fun as Kacey.”

She added: “New for this year is that children can run in fancy dress, just as many charity runners do for the London Marathon which takes place one week after our Mini Marathon, I can’t wait to see what fancy dress characters turn up!”

Youngsters taking part in this year’s Mini Marathon will be treated to a fun and energetic warm-up at 9.45am led by the team from Greenwich Get Active, just before they set off to run, walk or jog the circular route around scenic Royal Greenwich Park, which will start at the bandstand at the top of the park at 10am.

The first 200 children to register for the event will receive a Frankie & Benny’s Kids Eat Free voucher (valid for children 11 years old and under) or a 20% off Frankie & Benny’s discount card (for children over 11 years old), both are valid for one year.

To register or for more information go to www.communityhospice.org.uk, email info@gbch.org.uk or call 020 8319 9230.