Sands wonderful words...

On Easter Saturday 2015 (04/04/2015) my Mum Elaine died at St Peter’s Hospice. It was the most ridiculous experience; brutal and joyous, horrific and celebratory, heart wrenching and never to be forgotten. 

She met Caroline Quentin and Stephen Merchant. We drank bubbly and watched the Cheltenham Gold Cup. She cuddled my two kids Edward and Harriet, then aged 2 and 6 months respectively. And day by day Mums body gave up on her because rancid lung cancer developed through her spine and the feeling and response in her feet, then legs, followed by torso, arms, fingers and thumbs all disappeared until all that was left was speech and a slight movement of her head. No quality of life for a dignified, lovely, caring, loyal and mildly bonkers woman.

But the St Peters team cared. They made her frightening death bearable. Not just for Mum but for Claire, the kids and me too.

I’ve done sod all bike training and I can assure you that every one of the one hundred kilometers (62 miles in old money) will hurt. A LOT. But I’ll lose some weight and I’ll raise some money because the only option I have is to earn as many pounds as possible for the incredible team at St. Peter’s. If you can’t donate any cash I urge you to come and watch me cycling the hills of Chepstow; it will be a sight for sore eyes!!!!

Please give generously to the cause if you feel only mildly inclined,

Sandy X