Hethersett dad ran 5km each day of 2023 for Norwich hospice

Matthew Quick, who works in palliative care, completed the challenge to fundraise for the Priscilla Bacon Hospice on New Year's Eve. 

He was inspired to raise money for a cause "close to his heart" after working in end-of-life care and losing his uncle and father to cancer. 

After completing his 365th run this morning, Matthew said: "I've learned what it's like to go through complicated grief - you're not invincible and bad things happen.

Matthew completed a run every single day in 2023 (Image: Matthew Quick)

"Running has been great for my mental health and getting over that hill."

The 30-year-old began his mission on January 1, 2023, and continued his gruelling challenge come rain or shine, even while on holiday abroad. 

READ MORE: King Charles III opens new Norfolk hospice

His daily runs were completed in Ireland, Switzerland and Germany as well as his usual route in Hethersett - with his Strava account charting his progress, showing an average of seven runs and 36km a week.

Matthew continued: "People would tease me on nights out about being able to run the next day and that was a challenge in itself.

Matthew with his wife, Tatjana and son, Noah (Image: Matthew Quick)

"Even when I was hungover or ill I didn't want to give it up. 

"The distance wasn't the hardest part, it was the discipline."

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Matthew works for Norfolk's Hospice at Home organisation, which provides hospice services at a patient's house. 

The new Priscilla Bacon Lodge hospice, next to the N&N Hospital, welcomed its first patients in September (Image: Mike Page)The King spoke with hospice patients and their families when he visited the new Priscilla Bacon Lodge in October (Image: Denise Bradley)

He said he wanted to raise money for the Priscilla Bacon Hospice in Norwich for the times when the service he works for doesn't suit a family. 

The fundraiser was officially launched today and Matthew hopes to raise £250 ahead of running his first marathon in April, the new Norfolk Marathon, which starts and finishes in Cromer.

Matthew is planning on running the Norfolk Marathon in 2024 (Image: Matthew Quick)

Matthew added that it "felt weird" to have finally completed his original challenge but was happy to have been greeted by his wife Tatjana and five-year-old son Noah at the finish line. 

Next up will be enjoying a few weeks of rest before his marathon training begins.