From contractor to committed supporter
Jim Main had never stepped foot in a hospice before he began installing a new roof-mounted solar energy system here at Eden Valley Hospice. And he soon saw there’s much more to hospice care than meets the eye.
“I think there’s a perception that hospices are some kind of hospital, and that it’s all about end-of-life care. But my experience showed me otherwise. One thing that really struck me was how uplifting the place is. It really opened my eyes.”
It was the small things that made the biggest impact on Jim, like the way staff shared gentle humour and empathy in the most difficult moments, and how work sometimes had to pause, allowing family and friends to have silence while they said their last goodbyes to a loved one.
“I got to know many of the staff who work at the hospice, and it drove home the fabulous work they do every hour, every day. And I want to help in any way I can to allow Eden Valley to continue their amazing support in an ever-harder world.”
Inspired by patients, their families and the hospice team, Jim took on the London Landmarks Half Marathon – a race that had been on his wish list for a while. And he put as much effort into his fundraising as he did his training.
Recruiting family and friends to help create some spectacular hampers, Jim set about raffling all ten, raising over £2000 – something he later learned put him in the top 10% of fundraisers for the entire race.
“I came around 11,000th out of 24,000 runners, but knowing I was one of the top fundraisers was cooler than getting the place!”
Jim is no stranger to supporting good causes, having run marathons, taken on a 500-mile cycle ride, and jumped out of a plane. And he’s already thinking about what’s next!
Thanks to Jim and his team, we’re one step closer to a sustainable future, already saving money on energy that we can reinvest in care. And Jim’s incredible fundraising will help even more people get the support they need. We hope Jim will remain a friend to the hospice for many years to come.
