A DORCHESTER woman has raised more than £800 for Weldmar Hospicecare Trust by running more than 34 miles non-stop.

Donna Hicks, 40, who lives in Fordington Fields recently put on her running shoes for this year’s 100km Dodentocht Ultramarathon in Belgium.

She was taking part in the event with her husband, Tim, who acted as her pacer.

Tim had taken part in the event twice before and had also run across the length of Hadrian’s Wall.

The Dodentocht, held in Bornem, is a non-competitive walk with participants challenged to walk or jog 100km within a minimum of 10 hours and a maximum of 24 hours.

Donna took the brave decision to try and run the distance.

She said: “I managed to run 55km non-stop in seven hours and 20 minutes, so I was very pleased with that.”

Donna said the tough terrain caused her "excruciating pain" around her hip, as well as back and leg pain. Nevertheless, she didn’t want to quit.

She said: “I decided to carry on but unfortunately it took so long because there was so much rain and it was very wet. I was barely moving at such a slow pace.

“Tim was so good. He held me up and literally helped support me.”

In what can only be described as an emotional rollercoaster, Donna and Tim reached the finish line after another 14 and a half hours, finishing in the time allowed.

Donna received a medal and certificate to prove that she finished the race.

She said: “The number one on my medal does not mean first. It means my first Dodentocht and probably my last but I’m so pleased I did it.

“It was very humbling and definitely makes you appreciate life.”

At the time of writing, Donna has approximately raised £826 with a few more donations set to come through.

To those who had wished her well and donated to Weldmar, Donna said: “Thank you all so much for all your support. I really hope the money raised will help the hospice patients and their families.”

The Weldmar Hospicecare Trust is the only agency providing specialist palliative care in north, south and west Dorset.

The independent charity’s services are provided free of charge and 75 per cent of the funds it needs is raised locally, with the rest provided by the NHS.

As well as providing end of life care at the Joseph Weld Hospice in Dorchester, it also provides a range of services in the community with its specialist nursing service caring for people in the home.

If you would still like to donate money to Weldmar and show support for Donna’s achievement, please visit justgiving.com/Donna-Hicks/

For more information about the work of Weldmar visit weld-hospice.org.uk