A HOSPICE nurse who looks after adults with life-limiting conditions is planning a marathon run in aid of Havens Hospices.

Natalie Kitchen, 44, from Thundersley, has been deputy daycare sister at Fair Havens Hospice, Westcliff, for 18 months.

She will be joining Team Havens on Sunday April 26 in the London Marathon Novice runner, Ms Kitchen, said: “Without the support you get from the hospice events team, Benfleet Running Club and a dedicated Facebook page for marathon runners, I wouldn’t have been able to get to this point.

“My training was going well initially, but then about four months in, I hurt my foot and had to have four weeks off.

“I was really frustrated, as I had got up to 12 miles, only to drop back to five miles and build myself up again.

“A couple of weeks later, I hurt my knee, but through the support of the club and Havens I’m back up to 18 miles.”

Natalie has already beaten her fundraising target clocking up more than £2,000 in sponsorship pledges.

She said: “I did my final long run last week and I’m now tapering off again before the big day and spending my time carb-loading, hydrating and getting lots of protein to repair my muscles before the day. I’m really looking forward to it and getting quite emotional. I feel a bit sad it’s soon going to be over, though.

“I’m already thinking about applying for next year.

“I’ve got no goal or standard to meet, so at this point, I just hope I can run it all and not walk, or finish after the people running with dishwashers on their backs!”

Part of Ms Kitchen’s job involves helping patients manage their symptoms, psychological support, infusions, transfusions and providing a listening ear to problems, aside from their illness.

She said: “I’m privileged to care for many wonderful patients at Fair Havens.

“I’m reminded on a daily basis the battle I face to get through the training programme does not compare with that faced by our patients, their families and loved ones.

“They have all inspired me to do this.”

Fair Havens Hospice is part of Havens Hospices, which also runs Little Havens Children’s Hospice.

Both provide respite, symptom management and end-of-life care to people living with lifelimiting conditions in the hospices and at home.