Man's Brighton Half Marathon run for Watford hospice that cared for both partners who died

James and Natalie Power on their 2011 wedding day - Mrs Powers died the following year

A construction worker is running the Brighton Half Marathon for a hospice which cared for both his partners before they died.

James Power lost his wife Natalie to stomach cancer in 2012 and his partner Nicky Burton to lung cancer in 2019.

Both received treatment from Rennie Grove Peace Hospice Care in Watford, Herts, where Mr Power lives.

Despite the "difficult" time, he wanted to raise funds for the place that gave "such love, care and attention".

A few years later Mr Power met Nicky Burton who was "big into her running" and with whom he did half marathons

Mr and Mrs Power had planned to get married in Italy in April 2011 but instead had a small wedding in Watford for close family and friends.

Mrs Power stayed at the centre - then known as Peace Hospice Care - from July to August in 2012, before spending six weeks at her parents' home in Henham, Essex, where she died.

• Runners set off in annual Brighton Half Marathon

"The way they treated her, my family, her friends, whoever came to see her, was absolutely amazing," said Mr Power, 53.

He met partner Ms Burton in 2015 and said he was left "in disbelief" when she was also admitted to the same hospice in November 2018, before dying in March 2019 aged 47.

Mr Power now runs the Brighton Half Marathon with family and friends wearing a special t-shirt, to raise funds for the hospice that cared for both women

Keen runner Ms Burton had planned to run the Brighton Half Marathon with her best friend but when she was ill she instead cheered her on from the sidelines.

Mr Power, who grew up in Waterford, Ireland, said: "While we were watching it, Nicky said to me 'You could have run in my place, promise me you will'."

A year later, he did just that with 37 other family and friends, including many from Waterford. describing it as an "emotional" day.

"We all wear custom T-shirts which have a picture of Nicky at the front, and words on the back which say, 'running with a smile for Nicky'," he said.

Mr Power has taken part ever since as a hospice fundraiser.

This year, he is running the last mile with his 12-year-old niece and 10-year-old nephew.

"It may be strange to say but it is something that I look forward to because I like the fact that people come together," he added.