The Hamlet Dash: friends to race across Champion Hill to support local hospice and raise grief awareness

At half time this Saturday, 28th February 2026, two friends will run a 100m race across Dulwich Hamlet’s pitch in a bid to raise £10,000 for St Christopher’s Hospice. Here’s …

Feb 27, 2026 - 08:32

The Hamlet Dash: friends to race across Champion Hill to support local hospice and raise grief awareness

At half time this Saturday, 28th February 2026, two friends will run a 100m race across Dulwich Hamlet’s pitch in a bid to raise £10,000 for St Christopher’s Hospice.

Here’s the background to the race:

New research launched today by St Christopher’s Hospice in partnership with Dulwich Football Club shows just 16% of UK adults say they would openly discuss their grief with friends or family.

The findings highlight the ongoing stigma around talking about loss, even though most people will experience bereavement in their lifetime.

For Geraint, whose wife Deb died at the age of 43 at St Christopher’s, breaking that silence has become his mission.

He is encouraging others to talk more openly about grief whilst raising awareness of the hospice and fundraising in his late wife’s memory.

His story has also led to an unexpected reunion.

After hearing about the loss, Geraint’s friend, comedian and broadcaster Elis James, reached out to offer support. The pair have since reconnected and will go head-to-head in a 100-metre race during half-time at Dulwich Hamlet FC’s home match on Saturday 28 February 2026.

The race aims to spark conversation, bring people together, and shine a light on the importance of talking about grief.

Geraint, said:

“It’s because St Christopher’s made an unbelievably difficult time as good as it possibly could be for the whole family that I want not only to raise some serious money, but also to encourage more people, especially middle-aged men, to talk about death and dying.”

Elis James, comedian and broadcaster, said:

“Since Geraint’s wife Debs passed away, we have had many conversations about how St Christopher’s helped make her final months as dignified and as comfortable as possible.

Geraint has always wanted to turn his grief into something positive, and I couldn’t admire him any more.

That said, it’s 100m sprint and he’s a Cardiff City fan, so I won’t be able to show my face in Swansea ever again if I lose.”

Deb died from pancreatic cancer in September 2022 when their three children were 15, 11 and eight.

Geraint had been posting about his experience on social media following her diagnosis and, in the weeks after she died.

Fiona Walkingshaw, Head of Bereavement Services at St Christopher’s says:

“Bereavement touches every one of us, yet grief and dying is still surrounded by stigma and misconceptions.

“Hospice care is so much more than managing end of life symptoms but also addressing emotional needs and enhancing quality of life.

Our dedicated team work really hard all year round to help not only patients but also their friends and family achieve what matters most to them by enhancing the quality of life.

“Too often people feel isolated or unsure where to turn. At St Christopher’s, our teams work tirelessly to break down those barriers, offering compassionate support and creating safe spaces where individuals and families can talk openly about the changes and losses they are experiencing.”

Following the race, Geraint plans to return to the hospice for the first time since Deb’s death, to present what he hopes will be at least £10,000.