Four men from Derry - Oran Hughes, Matthew Dixon, Shane Dixon and Stephen Dixon - have started an initiative called Endurance Against Cancer to raise £10,000 for Foyle Hospice. The group formed the effort after family members received cancer diagnoses and care at the facility.

Oran Hughes's father Peter received a terminal cancer diagnosis. Matthew Dixon's father Martin received inpatient care at Foyle Hospice and died in January. The four plan endurance challenges in May. Matthew Dixon and Shane Dixon will run a marathon in Switzerland. Oran Hughes will run the 108-mile Norn Iron 100 ultramarathon across Northern Ireland. Stephen Dixon will compete in ATHX in Dublin. Oran Hughes and Matthew Dixon also prepare for an Ironman.

Local endurance athlete Danny Quigley supports their training. Matthew Dixon stated his family stayed together at the hospice which provided an apartment and staff offered care to all family members. He promised his father before his death to fundraise for the hospice. Stephen Dixon thanked the hospice for care given to their father in his last months and family support. Shane Dixon noted their father spent his last month and a half at the facility.

Oran Hughes said the challenges aim to raise money and awareness for families affected by cancer. Foyle Hospice has provided palliative care services in the North West since 1985. It offers nine inpatient beds, day therapy, community nursing, a 24/7 advice line and bereavement counselling. Annual costs total about £3.9 million with 35% from statutory funding and 65% from community support.

Donations can be made via the group's JustGiving page.