A Pembrokeshire family is showing its gratitude to the Paul Sartori Foundation for the 'wonderful' care of a respected county teacher by embarking on a fundraising sporting challenge.

Alun Rees of New Hedges, near Tenby - who had taught at the town’s Greenhill School for 37 years before his retirement - died last October just three weeks after being diagnosed with stomach cancer.

It was 67-year-old Mr Rees’ wish to end his life at home, and this was achieved with the support of the Paul Sartori Foundation.

Now his younger daughter, Nicola Bowen, is aiming to run 100 miles over the coming months, with support from relatives, to raise funds for the county’s hospice at home charity.

“The Paul Sartori Foundation was wonderful in making it possible for Dad to come home before he died,” said 41-year-old Nic, who is a a history teacher at Bassaleg Comprehensive School, Gwent.

“This was an immense comfort for us, and we wanted to give something back to the Foundation by way of fundraising.”

Mum-of-two Nic is aiming to complete eight half-marathons between now and October to raise awareness and money.

With the Paris event already under her belt, she will be going on to tackle The Great North Run, the Tewkesbury, Severn Bridge, Cardiff and Great Welsh half marathons and the Long Course Weekend in Pembrokeshire.

For the Long Course and Cardiff runs, she will be joined by her 17-year-old nephew, Max Brewster of Tenby and other family members.

“Paris was a very special run, and a great way to launch the fundraising and enabled me to hit my £1000 target,” added Nic. “If local people who knew, loved - or feared! - Dad would like to donate, they can do so through www.justgiving.com/Nicola-Bowen2.”

The Paul Sartori Foundation’s charity manager, Sandra Dade, said that Nic and her family’s decision to help the charity was ‘humbling’.

She added: “It is incredibly heartwarming that people can turn around and raise money for us at such a hard and difficult time for them. It really is a testament to the services that they have experienced from Paul Sartori.”