Tom has put a message together to explain why we are choosing to raise money for Sue Ryder.

 

"Our Dad, Bob Austin, was diagnosed with a terminal degenerative brain disease on 28th December 2008. After only being admitted to hospital a couple of weeks previously, this came as a great shock to the family. After several horrible weeks trying to cope with our grief and emotions, Dad was moved to the Sue Ryder Hospice at Leckhampton in late January, at which point he had deteriorated significantly. However, Dad being transferred to Sue Ryder was the best bit of luck we could have hoped for given the situation we found ourselves in. The staff were extremely comforting, and created a very homely atmosphere throughout the Hospice, every nurse would always make the time to sit down and have a chat, with conversations ranging from holidays, Dad's taste in music, to how we were going to cope with our loss.

 

In the final days of Dad’s life, the Hospice staff were fantastic. The staff set us up a make shift bedroom so that the family could stay with him 24 hours a day, they let us sit in with him and have a beer and a glass of wine, as anyone that knew Dad would know he would appreciate!! It was all of this support that meant we didn’t all just fall to pieces, when the inevitable happened and we lost our Dad on 19^th February 2009.

 

We would like to thank our family and friends that have continued to be a massive support throughout this difficult time – especially those friends that have chosen to run the half marathon and raise money for the Hospice with us!!

 

We aim to raise £2,000 from the half marathon to ensure that the Hospice can continue to carry out its fantastic work. The Hospice has to raise £1,000,000 through charitable donations every year just to keep its doors open, as it is only subsidised by the Government, not fully funded. Anything you can afford to give will be gratefully received and will go to the worthiest of causes. "