12th October 2022

    Thank you Mr Mayor for your marathon support

    Councillor and The Mayor of Hythe, Jim Martin, took to the Kentish countryside to run the Virtual London Marathon on Sunday 2 October 2022.

    While over 40,000 runners took part in the London event, another 10,000  took to their local streets, parks and countryside to test their stamina against the mighty 2,624 marathon miles to be part of the prestigious event, many raising funds for causes close to their hearts.


    The Right Worshipful Town Mayor who is also the Speaker of the Cinque Ports, was fundraising for Pilgrims Hospices, and achieved a very impressive finishing time of 5:30.27 hours raising a fantastic £3,500 for end-of-life care for the local community.

    He said: “I am a regular runner, along the canal path or along the promenade, and I have completed 25 full Marathons, including 20 consecutive London Marathons (don’t ask me why!)

    “The virtual marathon took me along the South Coast in Hythe where I live, using the Royal Military Canal as my route. As much as I love the built environment and streets of London, I can assure you that running in Hythe, ‘where the countryside meets the sea’, by the canal, beats running through Shadwell!

    “This has been my first marathon running as The Mayor of Hythe and the Speaker of the Cinque Ports. And…. just to note, I was not running in my robes and chain!”

    Community is very important to me, I was pleased to raise awareness of the care and services provided by Pilgrims, and highlight the important work they do for those in need.

    Jim Martin, Mayor of Hythe

    Kate Duddell, Pilgrims Hospices Fundraising Manager said: “Thank you The Mayor of Hythe for supporting local end-of-life care. Every year we are glad to say thank-you to the amazing individuals who train so hard to be part of this event and raise such staggering amounts of money to help us provide our specialist care. Your many miles of muscle power and dedication is really helping to make a difference to those who need care the most.”

    Jim has lived in Hythe since 2007, when he and his wife moved from South East London to their home in Seabrook.

    He explained: “Community is very important to me, I was pleased to raise awareness of the care and services provided by Pilgrims, and highlight the important work they do for those in need. With support from family, colleagues and the community, I’m delighted to have been able to raise such a substantial figure for Pilgrims. With 80% of Pilgrims Hospices’ funding being voluntary contributions, their support cannot be overstated.

    “Thank you, everyone for your support, the weather was very wet and I finished completely drenched, but delighted to finish in good form.”


    Pilgrims Hospices is dedicated to proving skilled and compassionate care, free of charge, to people living with an incurable illness in east Kent. Their vision is that people with a life-limiting illness are supported and empowered to live well in mind and body, making the most of the time have. They care for thousands of patients and their families each year, at their three inpatient units in Canterbury, Thanet and Ashford, their Therapy Centres or in patients’ homes.

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