A retired community nurse is set to run the London Marathon in aid of Hospice at Home Carlisle and North Lakeland. 

Josette 'Jo' Billett, who is originally from Somerset but now lives in Great Corby, spent the majority of her working life in health and social care, including stints as a staff nurse at Brampton War Memorial Hospital and as a Brampton district nurse, a role she occupied from 2014 until her retirement in May 2021. 

As part of the latter role, Jo worked closely with the Hospice at Home Carlisle and North Lakeland and witnessed firsthand the 'kind, empathetic individualised, and personal care' they deliver to patients across the region. 

Jo is also a keen runner and is part of local groups such as the DH Runners and recently completed her 200th Carlisle Park Run. 

Despite her experience, Jo is now facing her longest run yet at the London Marathon which takes place on Sunday, April 21, however, is hoping to use the event to raise money for the local charity. 

She said: "I just thought as soon as I got the marathon place the charity I was going to support needed to be local so it was benefitting our local community.

"It was never in doubt that it would be Hospice at Home and it was purely because I had worked alongside them for seven years and just admired what they do, their empathy, and how they care for their patients.

Jo initially set a fundraising target of £500 on her JustGiving page, however, with three weeks to go until the marathon in the capital she has nearly tripled her goal by raising £1,417 for Hospice at Home Carlisle and North Lakeland. 

"I put the target at £500 and within the first few days it was just coming in and it was incredible really. I am just overwhelmed and humbled by it. 

"I am humbled by people's offers of donation and it is just amazing especially with being hard at the moment and money being tight for people at the moment, so to getting that amount of money so far has been incredible."

You can support Jo's fundraising efforts HERE