30 Jan 2026 Community

Running in Memory: Mark Priestley Raises Funds for The Kirkwood

When Mark Priestley lost his wife Caroline in April 2025, he knew he wanted to give something back to the place that had cared for her and for their whole family during the most difficult time of their lives.

Caroline spent 26 nights on The Kirkwood’s Inpatient Unit, receiving expert care, comfort and compassion in her final weeks. It was that number that inspired Mark’s challenge 26.2 miles, the distance of a marathon a deeply personal way of saying thank you.

“I wanted to raise funds for The Kirkwood as Caroline, my wife, passed away there in April 2025,” said Mark. “The care and support that was given to her and the entire family was inspiring.”

In October 2025, Mark completed the Yorkshire Marathon, a challenge he admits Caroline would never have let him do while she was alive.

“She was in The Kirkwood for 26 nights, hence 26.2 miles, and she would never let me run a marathon as she knew I would want to do more of them,” he said. “So, in some ways I knew that she would be looking down and shaking her head.”

Crossing the finish line brought a powerful mix of emotions: “It was a strange set of feelings, one of relief, then pride for finishing,” Mark explained. “Then I was hit with a wave of total emotion when Harry and Helena, my son and his girlfriend, found me at the finish zone. Helena and I were in floods of tears.”

Through his marathon effort, Mark raised an incredible £4,412 to support The Kirkwood’s care for local people and families.
Reflecting on why the hospice matters so much, Mark added: “It is simply vital for the local community. What The Kirkwood and staff do every single day is simply amazing. The lack of funding back from the government is simply outrageous, everyone should have the opportunity to experience their services when they are needed.”

Mark, who lives in Upper Hopton, is not stopping there. In October 2026, he will be taking on the same marathon again, continuing to honour Caroline’s memory and raise funds to help ensure The Kirkwood can be there for others in the future.

He said: “I will be running the same event in October this year, so please feel free to donate anything that you can afford.”
Thanks to supporters like Mark, The Kirkwood can continue to provide specialist care, comfort and support to patients and families when they need it most.

Want to take on your own challenge? Check out our challenge page HERE.