Sixteen Partners at Cheltenham’s John Lewis store will be swapping their uniforms for blue and white running vests later this year to run 208 miles around the town between them.

Donning Sue Ryder Team Incredible running vests in support of Leckhampton Court Hospice the team will line up behind the start line at the Still Moving Cheltenham Half Marathon on Sunday 29th September in memory of friend and partner, who was cared for by the Gloucestershire hospice.

In support of their big-hearted team effort for Sue Ryder, one of the charity partners for this year’s Still Moving Cheltenham Half, double gold Olympic medallist, James Cracknell OBE is making a special visit to the Cheltenham store to see how the team’s training and preparations for the 13.1-mile run are going.

Cracknell said: “It’s always inspiring to hear first-hand the reasons why people lace up their trainers to take on the Still Moving Cheltenham Half to get fit and stay active while helping support valuable local charities and causes like Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice.

“Last year saw over 3,500 runners taking to the streets of Cheltenham, many of them running for local charities. Not only is the Still Moving Cheltenham Half Marathon helping to keep people active, but it is actively creating incredible legacies for local causes too.”

Jordan Kirkland, Partner and Brand Experience Manager at John Lewis & Partners Cheltenham, said: “We are absolutely delighted to be entering a John Lewis Cheltenham team for the Cheltenham Half Marathon. It was an easy decision for us to run in support of Sue Ryder Leckhampton Hospice, after they took such amazing care of one of our partners recently during her battle with cancer, and know that it is a charity which has touched the lives of so many people in Cheltenham.”

In a further show of support John Lewis & Partners will also be providing special route-side entertainment for runners as they pass outside the store on race day.

Matt Reay is Senior Community Fundraiser at Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice. He said: “We’re thrilled to be Still Moving Cheltenham Half’s charity partner for the third year running. During our partnership we’ve had a total of 317 runners take to the streets of Cheltenham for our hospice, raising a staggering £102,329 for local families needing our expert and compassionate palliative care.

“Having a 16-strong team from John Lewis & Partners Cheltenham joining us this year on top of all the amazing in-store support and fundraising they’ve been offering our charity since their doors opened is fantastic. We’re really looking forward to cheering on the John Lewis & Partners and all our Team Incredible runners on the day.”

There are still places available on Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice’s Team Incredible, which offers a weekly run club, run by professional coaches in the run up to the Still Moving Cheltenham Half. To sign up visit www.sueryder.org/cheltenhamhalf or email leckhampton.events@sueryder.org or call 01242 246282.

For more information on Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice email www.sueryder.org/leckhampton