On February 10th 2018, my Mum, Regine, died at the aged of 47. She was first diagnosed with cancer in 2011 and during the following 7 years she faced numerous rounds of surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and immunotherapy. On 3 occasions she was declared clear of disease, only for the cancer to return and eventually spread.

In Spring 2017, we found out that Mum’s life expectancy was quite short. We had a wonderful summer holiday and spent a lot of precious time together. However, in Autumn 2017, her condition began to deteriorate, and she started to come under the care of Woking Hospice. The Hospice started by helping with small tasks, such as assisting with the application for a blue badge, as my Mum now needed a wheelchair. They also started to provide counselling services for all 4 of us – me, my Mum, my Brother Sam, and my Dad, Daniel.

As time went on and my Mum’s condition further deteriorated, so the Hospice started to provide a greater range of care. Eventually, Mum was admitted to Woking Hospice on Wednesday 7th February, where she died 3 days later.

In April 2019, I will be taking part in a charity trek to Machu Picchu in The Andes, in memory of my Mum and in aid of Woking Hospice. The care that we, as a family, received from Woking Hospice helped us all a lot during the most difficult months of our lives, and continues to help us today. Mum and I long discussed doing a charity trek to The Andes, as it was one of her dreams to visit the lost Inca city of Machu Picchu. Woking Hospice rely wholly on charitable donations, so to do this for the Hospice is a fitting tribute to Mums memory.