On Christmas Eve 2008, my Auntie Sylvia was admitted to the Marie Curie Hospice in Newcastle. She died 15 days later in January 2009.  During her stay, the staff there cared for her as if she was their Auntie - they took away her pain and supported our family to come together and be with her to the end. 

Their care and support inspired me, so since then I have been raising money to cover the cost of her care in her memory. This year the amazing 'iron woman' Laura Choake and I, decided to do all 3 'Great Norths'! In June we swam 1 mile in Lake Windermere, in August we cycled 90 miles from Berwick to Tynemouth (and yes, that's 35 miles extra - don't ask!), and in September we will run 13 miles from Newcastle to South Shields.

We've raised £5,100 over the last 3 years - if we can take this to £6,000 we will have covered the cost of her care, and helped other people at a time when they need it most. Please help by donating what you can in memory of an amazing woman - my Auntie Sylvia. And for my beautiful mum Valerie, who also died of cancer, aged only 52.

So grateful to everyone who has helped so far, by singing, dancing, playing instruments and spinning records, telling jokes, baking (and eating!) cakes, donating (and buying) raffle prizes, drinking and grooving and generally having a ball - thank you so much. It's no small thing you've done. 

Vanessa and Laura