Thirteen business leaders are to run 13 miles to raise £13,000 in celebration of fundraiser Caroline Attreed’s 13 years at Julia’s House.

Double Olympian marathon runner and Commonwealth Games medallist Liz Yelling has also given her support to ‘Team 13’.

The fundraising challenge has been initiated by Caroline, Corporate Fundraiser at the Dorset and Wiltshire children’s hospice charity.

She’s assembled the team of 13 businessmen and women who will run 13 miles together in a bid to raise the £13,000 to help local families with seriously ill children.

Alongside Caroline, those taking part include:

• James Benamor, Founder and CEO, Richmond Group & Julia’s House Ambassador
• Alex Bonnet, CEO, Venaspace
• Becky Harris, Finance Director, MSP Capital
• Brian Parker, CEO, Britannia Parking & Julia’s House Chair
• Chris Fairfax, CEO, Catalyst Property Finance
• Doug Sheppard, MD, Parvalux
• Iain Williams, CEO, Quick Car Finance
• Kelly Black, Director, Richmond Group
• Mark Nixon, Partner, Trethowans & Julia’s House Trustee
• Martin McAndrew, Director, Blue Thirst
• Pip Woods, MD, Rockley Watersports & Julia’s House Ambassador
• Tobias Britton, MD, Globacare
• Anthony ‘Staz’ Stazicker, Co-Founder, Thru Dark
• Michelle Cross, PR Manager, OnBuy

The team is being helped by Personal Trainer Sash Von Rappard, who is joining in with training runs and providing motivational support.

Caroline said: “When I started my role at Julia’s House, James Benamor was one of the first business people I met.

“James is CEO of Richmond Group and one of our ambassadors.

“It was James I met with to talk through my idea of this challenge.

“He helped me to get started and is always such a great motivation and wonderful supporter.

“I invited another Julia’s House ambassador, Liz Yelling, to talk to the team before one of our training runs and was so delighted when she said yes!

“Liz is such an inspirational athlete and has competed in two Olympic marathons.

“She was really motivational and gave us some great tips and techniques to take away and put into practice.

“Julia’s House has been a huge part of my life for the last 13 years.

“It is an amazing organisation, providing the most incredible support to local families, and I feel so privileged to be a part of it.

“It’s going to be an exciting year training with Team 13 and I can’t wait for us to cross the finishing line!”

Liz, pictured left, put the fundraisers through their paces with some interval training in Poole Park, and left them with a few words of encouragement and advice.

She said: “The best thing about going into an event with a team is the support, encouragement and accountability you offer each other.

“I think this is so motivational, and helps you to get out on those runs, when otherwise you may not.

“It helps you to feel excited about race day and feeling a part of something.

“So encourage each other on the journey to the start line, and show interest in each other’s training journeys.”

Team 13 will complete the half-marathon challenge for Julia’s House on October 9.

You can support the team with donations by visiting justgiving.com/team/Team13JH

More information about Julia’s House can be found here.