In November last year Tristan Hoedemaker, a veterinary nurse at St Anne’s Vets Eastbourne, became unwell with flu like symptoms.

Rebecca, Tristan‘s partner of 5 years, took him to be checked over in A&E (where she works) and it was discovered that Tristan had multiple abnormalities and ’nodules’ around his abdomen.

A week later Tristan was diagnosed with a very rare and aggressive form of sarcoma cancer. He was told he only had days to live.

As his last wish he married his partner Rebecca in a beautiful cermony at St Wilfred‘s Hospice. However just 3 days after this, and only 3 weeks and 3 days after falling unwell, Tristan passed away.

He was 27 years old. His partner Rebecca is now a 23 year old widow.

Before he died Rebecca promised Tristan she would open a dog rescue charity in memory of him, in order to let his passion and legacy live on.

Tristan adored animals, particularly dogs, and spent much of his life fostering and rescuing them. He loved his job as a veterinary nurse and had just started his career when he tragically passed away.

Rebecca and Tristan ran many half marathons and marathons together, and had just signed up to the Beachy Head Marathon- the ultimate challenge, when Tristan became unwell.

Rebecca is determined to still run the Beachy Head Marathon, as this is what Tristan would have wanted.

And her amazing best buddies have signed up to join her, so she doesnt have to run it alone.

Beachy head is said to be one of the hardest marathons in the UK. 26.2 miles (42km!), 300 steps, 14 gates and a 1,318m climb....And 3/4 of our team have never run a marathon before...

Yikes.

So please dig deep into your pockets and spare a couple o’ doller for this amazing cause.

Help us open a dog rescue charity for our dear friend Tristan.

Oh, and did I mention it’s on Tom Hyde’s 25th birthday...?! What a trooper.

Thank you so much in advance,

Rebecca, George, Tom H, Tom W, Abinav and Lucy

XOXOX