My personal reasons for choosing this amazing charity is because they helped care for my grandparents when they were terminally ill. 

Firstly, when my grandfather was diagnosed and admitted, frankly I was too young to understand and appreciate what cancer was, yet alone  a hospice. I have memories of going to a big building in hackney where the nurses and staff played and kept   my brother and I occupied whilst the ‘grown ups’ went into the ward. I hadn’t fully appreciated then the relief that my parents, aunt and uncle undoubtedly felt when the two young children of the family were momentarily distracted from wondering why so many people had come to see grandad, and why they all looked upset and were crying. Now, 20 years on, I can see how small acts like that, done without instigation  would have helped tremendously. 

In 2017, my grandmother was diagnosed with cancer. She lost her battle within 6 months. In some weird way, only the universe knows how, things came full circle and the name St Joseph’s rang a familiar bell in my mind when the name was uttered again. But this time I was old enough to understand what was happening. 

I, alongside everyone else in my family watched my gran, Ma shrink. Physically, she disappeared. That feisty sprint slowly ebbing away. And whilst the family shattered around us, the carers of the hospice quietly in the background did what they needed to, to help alleviate the stress and heartache. 

I know of the hard work and sheer strength, whether mental and/or physical required to care for patients in the last stages of their lives. The staff at St Joseph’s are true beacons of light when your world slowly turns dark around you. 

I hope with your help I can hit my target and beyond in memory of both my grandparents. Sarwan Singh Chana who passed away in 11th March 1997 at St Joseph’s Hospice, and Harbhajan Kaur  Chana who passed away 11th September 2017. 

This is for you.