Team BBJ consists of Andrew Barcello, Martyn Bicknell, Juliet and Stephen Jeary 

Andrew Barcello

In May 2008, my father spent several weeks at the hospice towards the end of his battle with cancer. I was enormously impressed with everything and everyone connected with the hospice and felt I should do my part to help ensure the continued survival of this wonderful facility, so that others could benefit from the hospice and the excellent nursing given at their time of need. I had several ideas, but as is so often the case with such intentions, they were put on the back burner as work commitments made fundraising and sponsored events seem unachievable.

 

Martyn Bicknell

I am a thirty year old who is fortunate to have already completed a number of my ambitions in life, including sharing my house with my two favourite ladies (albeit one of them is my 2 year old daughter). I am a sports marketing professional and (unfit) natural athlete. I have lived in Cardiff for nearly ten years and I have four reasons for undertaking the Great Wall of China Trek: (i) to help support my friend in his recovery to better health (ii) in memory of loved relatives lost (iii) to get my ageing body back to shape and (iv) to raise money for a very worthwhile cause. At the same time I will fulfil another ambition which is to see the Great Wall of China up close! 

Please give generously, I promise I will say very nice things about anyone who donates to support the trek!

Juliet & Stephen Jeary

Sadly Steve & I have lost both of our mothers and Steve's father to cancer within the last three years. It is a disease that is likely to impact on all our lives at some point. I'm sure you all know someone who is either battling with cancer or who has tragically lost the fight.

We first got involved with the Marie Curie Hospice Penarth in January 2009 after Steve's mum, Marjorie (who had been diagnosed with lymphoma), was admitted to the hospice for assessment. Sadly, Mum passed away four weeks after her admission. During her time there she received excellent care from the dedicated staff at the hospice. That care and support was extended to Steve, myself and her two grandchildren Oliver & Peter as we remained at Mum's bedside during her last few days. As a family we there and then decided to help raise funds for the hospice by participating in the Marie Curie Mount Sinai Challenge, which we completed in April 2010. What an experience! 

Steve and I have decided take part in the Great Wall of China trek to help the Penarth hospice fund the care and support that it gives its patients and their relatives - we are just so grateful that Mum received such excellent care and was treated with such dignity and compassion during her last weeks with us.

Thank you so much for supporting us.

The money raised from the Great Wall of China Trek will help the Marie Curie Hospice Penarth continue to provide specialist care for people with cancer and life-limiting illnesses completely free of charge. Set on a cliff top with spectacular views over the Bristol Channel, this purpose-built hospice offers a modern approach to care with a friendly and welcoming atmosphere. The hospice has 30 in-patient beds and provides a wide range of day services, including occupational therapy, physiotherapy, spiritual care and complementary therapies. Each year the doctors and nurses at the hospice care for more than 1,200 local patients and provide support to their families entirely free of charge. 

For those patients wishing to remain at home the hospice provides a community outreach service providing medical clinics and home visits; complementary therapies; psychological, social and bereavement support and pre and post bereavement care for children and young people. It costs over £4 million per year to run the hospice - this would not be possible without the support of people like yourselves as 70% of the funds required each year have to be raised by voluntary contributions.

So please support Team BBJ to raise much needed funds for the Penarth hospice.

 

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

 

So dig deep and donate now!

 

Many, many thanks from Team BBJ for all your support.

 

Check out the following video which shows its not just a walk in the park!! http://www.mariecurie.org.uk/trekforpenarth