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Two work colleagues are to run the Bristol Half Marathon dressed in full PPE to raise money for the charity their business has adopted as its cause of the year.

Jake Humphries and Chris Rodgers, both who work for high voltage electrical contracting business Ethical Power, are to take on the Bristol Half Marathon on 19 May to raise money for Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW)

The firm has adopted the organisation as its charity of the year and has already held a number of events including a spin-a-thon and a bake sale across its three sites.

The company, which designs and constructs new grid connections for renewable energy infrastructure projects across the globe, has set itself a target of raising £15,000 for CHSW.

The pair will be taking on the 13.1 mile run through Bristol dressed in full PPE used by their staff while working in electrical substations.

The PPE, which includes heavy boots, electric shock and flame-resistant overalls, a hard hat, glasses and gloves, will be decorated with colourful handprints by children staying at CHSW’s Charlton Farm hospice in Wraxall.

Chris, 33, a former Lance Bombadier in the army who now works as a health and safety manager and Jake, an operations director, will be joined in their run by Charlton Farm’s Operations Lead Matt Norman – who used to be Chris’s Sergeant Major in the army.

The pair have been busy getting in training for their challenge, including doing training  runs wearing heavy boots to try and acclimatise themselves to wearing the PPE.

The design of the PPE was inspired by a wall of handprints which features in the messy play area at Charlton Farm hospice.

The handprints were added by children, siblings and family members who have stayed at Charlton Farm over the years.

Chris, from Weston-super-Mare, said: When we saw the wall of handprints at the hospice it made such an impact on us. It was then we decided to mirror the design on our PPE.

Jake, 31, from Bristol, and his family have a personal link with the hospice.

Jake’s little sister Aimee, who was born with a rare genetic condition causing her to have an enlarged liver and spleen and was diagnosed with liver cancer in November 2008.

She underwent chemotherapy treatment and spent her last weeks at Charlton Farm before her death, aged just five, in 2009.

Jake and his family have since raised an incredible £100,000 for the hospice by holding events including Masquerade Balls.

Jake himself has completed an ultra marathon, a sky dive and a raft of running challenges – all for the hospice.

Ethical Power chose CHSW as its charity of the year after Jake shared his personal link with the organisation with work colleagues.

Jake said: “Both Chris and I are passionate about the hospice and the work it does.

“Our family knows first hand what a difference CHSW makes to so many families across the south west.”

Chris said: Recently becoming a father myself made me have an even greater appreciation of the work the hospice does. Running in PPE is going to be a real challenge for both of us. But one which we know will help CHSW continue with the amazing work it does.

Fifty members of staff at Ethical Power have also signed up to take part in the Three Peaks Challenge to help with the fundraising.

CHSW Event Fundraiser Hollie Thorogood said: “We can’t wait to cheer on Chris and Jake and see them take on Bristol Half Marathon dressed in full PPE.

“To take on such a challenge and be carried with the handprints of our Charlton Farm children, will make every step so meaningful, and we can’t thank them enough for their support.”

Children’s Hospice South West has been providing care and support to children with life limiting illnesses and their families in the South West for over 30 years.

The charity offers specialist palliative and hospice care for the whole family, a sibling support for brothers and sisters, emergency support, end of life care and a bereavement service.

To find out more about fundraising for CHSW visit www.chsw.org.uk/getinvolved.

Support Chris and Jake's fundraising