Tez, who has Multiple Sclerosis (MS), attends an exercise group for people with the illness at the St Giles Supportive Care Centre in Sutton Coldfield for the last seven years.

For Tez, the support offered by staff, volunteers and members of the group has been essential to her wellbeing over the last seven years.

“Attending the group at St Giles has been a real help in living with my illness and I am keen to spread the word about the group as well as encouraging people to support St Giles at the Rudolph Run,” she said.

“The centre is so bright and welcoming and the staff and the volunteers are always really cheerful, friendly, professional and supportive at the same time.

“The most important element of the group is the patients themselves. It’s wonderful to be in a position where you can talk freely about anything and know your listeners understand exactly what you mean.

“Maybe the most positive benefit is the social interaction. We know we are amongst friends in these classes and we share ideas, information, strategies and tips.

“We have become a community and I so wish this facility had been available when I was first diagnosed.”

Tez was diagnosed with MS when she was 25 and continued to work full time for 27 years as a primary teacher after her diagnosis, before taking early retirement and just afterwards started to attend the group.

The MS Group is one of a range of support groups run by St Giles to support people living with long term palliative conditions and runs weekly at the hospice’s Sutton and Lichfield sites.

St Giles events fundraiser Zoe Westwood said events like the Rudolph Run were essential in raising funds for the hospice, to help support activities like the MS Group.

“As a charity, we need to raise more than £9 million a year to provide care to local people living with potentially incurable illnesses and their families,” she said.

“People supporting us through event like the Rudolph Run are a great way of raising awareness and funds and we’d urge as many people as possible to put their best foot forward, pop on a festive costume and get involved.”

To sign up for the Rudolph Run, follow this link, and help Tez raise much needed funds for St Giles.