Stroud Mum Runs 111 Miles to Support Daughter\’s School

In an extraordinary effort to fundraise for her daughter’s school, a devoted mother is set to run an ultramarathon.

Josy Hayes has so far collected nearly £13,000 for St Rose’s, a special needs school in Stroud, where her 14-year-old daughter, Amalie, has been a pupil for ten years.

Ms. Hayes highlights the exceptional dedication of the school staff, who have provided outstanding care for Amalie since she suffered severe brain damage from a critical illness during infancy.

On June 29 and 30, Ms. Hayes and her friend Nikki Owen will take on the formidable 111-mile Warwickshire Ring Canal Race.

Counting Their Blessings

Speaking with BBC Radio Gloucestershire, Ms. Hayes expressed her deep appreciation for St Rose’s: “Amalie faced a life-altering illness as a baby, and our lives changed forever. I cannot imagine what we would have done without St Rose’s. They offer incredible, hands-on support for these children. It’s amazing to see all their needs being met.”

Embracing the Challenge

When Ms. Hayes expressed a desire to raise funds but was unsure how to proceed, Ms. Owen suggested the ultramarathon. The race, which starts and ends at Coventry Canal Basin, leads runners through a scenic yet demanding route around Coventry, Birmingham, Warwickshire, and Oxfordshire.

Runners will find refreshment stations every 25 miles, but must meticulously plan their food, gear, and timing for the journey.

The race begins at 08:00 BST on Saturday, June 29, and runners must complete the course by 17:00 BST on Sunday, June 30.

Beauty and Determination

“The race route along the canals is beautiful, which is exactly my kind of scenery,” said Ms. Hayes. “There will be up to 150 runners, many of whom are serious competitors. For me, it’s all about completing the race and raising funds for St Rose’s.”

She shared some race-day advice: “Mentally, breaking it down every 25 miles helps—things like freshening up with deodorant or brushing your teeth can really keep you going. There will definitely be a lot of blood, sweat, and tears.”

Driven by her commitment to support St Rose’s and its vital one-on-one care for children like Amalie, Josy Hayes is prepared to tackle this daunting challenge.