Opinion: ‘Running for an amazing place...’

I often say that being the MP for Peterborough is the best job I’ll ever have. It’s true. Being a Member of Parliament is great, but representing my city, where I grew up, is special.

I know our strengths.

That’s why I’m so keen for people to be positive about our city and its future. We have huge potential.

We also care. We care in both senses: our pride in Peterborough, but also our care and love for each other. This care typified our response to the pandemic.

There’s no bigger example of how Peterborough cares than Thorpe Hall, the Sue Ryder hospice on Thorpe Road. When I visited it for the first time, I didn’t know what to expect. I knew there would be love, but how could there not be sadness?

Obviously, there are tears at any hospice, but I was amazed to hear so many laughs as well.

It’s a wonderful place, with amazing staff and volunteers. It has a special place in local hearts, as years of fundraising prove.

The hospice gets some taxpayers money, but needs these local fundraising efforts and events to function. Like much else, normal fundraising simply isn’t possible during COVID-19.

I was so pleased when the Government stepped up and provided extra funding to help them. Yet, inevitably, temporary funding is only a temporary solution.

This was already on my mind when my Parliamentary colleague and friend, Guy Opperman MP, nominated me to take part in the 10for10 Challenge. How could I refuse?

This month and next, I’m running 10K ten times to help raise money. That’s 100 kilometres altogether, so around 62 miles. And although there are many deserving charities here in Peterborough, my runs are dedicated to Thorpe Hall.

Having accepted Guy’s challenge, I realised that I hadn’t run a 10K for eight years.

My status as an athlete was never secure. For all that, my day dreams of playing premiership football only recently subsided. (Stanley Matthews played into his 50s!)