Cotswolds' James Hilton aims to raise £1,000 for award-winning nursing home

James Hilton, a biomechanics and injury recovery specialist from Stroud, is preparing to take on the Ultra Trail Cape Town (UTCT), a gruelling 100km ultra-marathon, to raise £1,000 for Horsfall House.

James, who owns Jim’s Gym, a virtual fitness platform for people over 55, has raised over £600 toward his target. The funds will go to Horsfall House, a not-for-profit nursing home providing essential care for elderly adults, including those with dementia, through services such as palliative and respite care.

At Jim’s Gym, James helps people over the age of 55 stay active and feel great, all from the comfort of their own homes. His online gym offers live classes, an extensive on-demand workout library, monthly expert talks, and a thriving online community.

“As well as a physical studio in the heart of Stroud, I’ve built Jim’s Gym with one clear goal — to help older adults stay healthy and active, no matter where they are,” James said.

In addition to his fundraising efforts, James has been actively involved with Horsfall House, delivering monthly fitness sessions for residents to help them stay active and improve their quality of life.

“I’m incredibly proud to support Horsfall House and the amazing work they do,” James said. “Over the past year I’ve been privileged to witness the amazing work that Horsfall house provides, and have become very fond of the wonderful residents.”

Horsfall House is a not-for-profit, award-winning care facility in Minchinhampton, dedicated to providing high-quality care for adults with physical infirmities and dementia, as well as palliative and respite services.

Ahead of the ultra-marathon, James expressed his excitement and acknowledged the challenge. He said: "This will be my toughest test yet. The Ultra Trail Cape Town is 100km with 4,900m of brutal elevation!

“My training weeks have peaked at 11hrs of running, and with the weather what’s it’s been, it’s has required a great deal of motivation to get out at times to navigate the very boggy trails around Stroud.

“Nonetheless, knowing that Horsfall will benefit from my efforts has been a source of constant inspiration to keep going. 4 months out of my life to benefit people in need for even longer makes it all worth it.”

The Ultra-Trail Cape Town (UTCT) is a world-renowned event that attracts trail runners globally, offering races from 16km to a 100-miler. James’ 100km race will traverse iconic trails like Table Mountain, Lion’s Head, and the Constantia Winelands, featuring steep ascents, technical terrain, and extreme weather conditions, with temperatures ranging from single digits to more than 30°C.

The course, part of the Table Mountain National Park, covers dramatic scenery from Cape Town’s northern mountains to remote areas like Simonstown and Kalk Bay.

James will complete the UTCT in Cape Town on November 22nd. To support his fundraising efforts and help Horsfall House continue delivering exceptional care, visit his JustGiving page at https://www.justgiving.com/page/james-hilton-fitness-horsfall-house