We are a group of girls that met at infants school (in the 80’s!!) and remained lifelong friends, we all turned 40 last year. In November 2021 we sadly lost Joanne to breast cancer. We supported Joey as best we could during her 2 year battle with this horrendous illness, although each feeling desperately helpless and unable to make things better for her. As the saying goes ‘if love alone could save you, Joey most definitely would have stayed with us forever’. 

As we continue to grieve for the loss of our beautiful friend. I (Jodie) wanted to do something positive and raise some funds for the Hospice of the Valley who supported Jo and her family when it was required. 

Initially I told Anna Davies (she’s the fit one in the group) ‘let’s run 50 miles over the month of January’ but then I broke my foot at Christmas so that didn’t happen!!. So here we are, foot has recovered (just) and we are heading into March (Joey would have turned 41 on March 23rd). We will be running for joey, who would laugh her socks off at us running – it wasn’t her thing, she’d call us idiots. 

We have roped quite a few more people into the challenge also. So now we have Team Joey - last checking there were around 20 people in the team. 

Nothing can prepare you for that person who you’ve always spoken to, always known not being there anymore. Not just us, Jos friends, but her soul mate Husband Gavin, and their beautiful children, Dylan (age 8) and Poppy (age 5). 

Hospice can’t change the outcome but they can make the journey that little bit less scary.

Their presence at that time is nothing short of heavenly and please don’t underestimate what a difference they make. Typically £112.23p pays for a patient to receive one night of care in their home overnight allowing loved ones to get a much needed rest. So let’s dig deep and support our local hospice.