A proud daughter is preparing to run the inaugural Great East Run in Suffolk this weekend to raise money for a cause close to her heart.

In 2013, Amelia Hudson’s father David died at St Elizabeth Hospice. He had been diagnosed with a brain tumour 13 months before and spent his final three weeks at the hospice in Ipswich.

“I think it was a relief to him to come in to the hospice,” Amelia said.

“We all celebrated his 62nd birthday at home with him on the Friday and he came in to the hospice on the Saturday.

“We could not have coped without the hospice. By the time he was admitted he couldn’t communicate at all. It was good for us all to know that he was being looked after.”

David was a sound engineer and loved music so nurses at the hospice played Frederic Chopin for him to listen to when he was unwell, Ameila said.

The Great East Run will be Amelia’s first challenge in support of St Elizabeth Hospice.

Amelia, who embarked on a weight loss journey last April and has shed five stone, will take on the race with a friend.

Joanne Rodger, events and challenges fundraising manager at St Elizabeth Hospice, said: “Amelia and all of our runners have worked really hard to get to this point and the last few days before any challenge is always the time when the excited nerves build.

“We’re grateful to everyone that has chosen to take part in the Great East run on our behalf and we’ll be there on the day to cheer them on.”

Amelia will join 22 others taking part in the Great East Run to raise money for the hospice, including a team of 13 from Riverhills Health Club and Spa which has chosen St Elizabeth Hospice as its charity of the year.

To sponsor Amelia, see here.