Michael and I recently faced the devestating loss of our lovely Mum, Ed and Gemma lost a Mother in Law and Koby and Milo lost their lovely Grandma Mo. She had a long brave battle with Cancer that finally ended on 26/08/2011. 

In the 2 years Mum was fighting this horrible disease she was under the care of St Wilfred's Hospice and we can not justify enough what the hospice do for the patients and their families.

Mum used to go to the Day Hospice where she made friends with other patients and always came home with something she had made and relaxed after the various complimentry therapies on offer. On top of this there were volunteer drivers who took her to the hospital and sat with her for hours while she was having her chemotherapy. There were also nurses and therapists that came to see her at home and offer her a shoulder to cry on. 

Mum also went into the hospice for a week for respite care which was much needed for her as she was finding being at home alone was beginning to get a little scary (unbeknown to us) during this time she struck up a friendship with the hospice Chaplin and visited the Chapel for services which she loved.

Sadly for us Mum went in for her final admission on the 12th July this year and in the weeks that followed we can not begin to put into words how much the Hospice did for my Mum and our family. The nurses where so gentle and caring with Mum and with us, they supported every single one of us. Mum got so much pleasure from the beautiful gardens. The Chefs that came round everyday to give Mum a choice of meals also became friends. Everyone there has such a caring nature and Mum described it as "feeling like she was already in Heaven being there". 

Sadly there was only ever one outcome to Mums final stay and when that day came the Hospice supported and looked after us in our hour of need and still continue to do so, offereing us bereavment care and complimentary therapies, various groups we are welcome to go to, the door is never closed and they will continue to be there for us in the future.

One of the things Mum told us to do before she died was to support the Hospice as much as we can and get involved in whatever fundraising we can do.

We could seriously type all day about how fabulous this Hospice is, hence why all of us are getting involved in this years Santa Sprint and Stroll.

Me (naomi), Michael, Gemma and Ed will be running the 5k then its back to the start to join Koby and Milo for the 1 mile Santa Stroll. 

Please please sponser us and help us raise our target for this wonderful charity.

Since opening its doors in 1987 they have helped more than 10,000 people. They provide care and support 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year and at any one time are looking after 220 people in the community. All services are provided free of charge! 

This year it will cost £5.6 million to run St Wilfred's Hospice, The government funding amounts to only 14% of the running costs, so they rely on the local community to support them.

The money you donate could help pay for: 

£17 = One hour's care for one patient on the ward

£48 = One hour of Hospice @ Home care in the community.

£99 = One patient to attend St Wilfred's Hospice for one day.

Thanks for reading guys and please sponser us! xxx