In memory of my wonderful Dad, Richy. I have signed up to Trek for 5 consecutive days across Vietnam in April 2024, walking up to 20km each day. During the Trek, I will be working on a community project for a small palliative care unit at a local hospital in the Mai Chau region. Any sponsorship raised will go directly to Dorothy House Hospice, who provided outstanding support to our family during a time of huge change and uncertainty. 

In the Summer of 2020, my Dad was diagnosed with stage 4 Metastatic Prostate Cancer which had progressed to his bones. In June 2021, two weeks after the arrival of his first Grandchild, we received the news that the cancer had unexpectedly and suddenly progressed to his brain. The tumour was rare and aggressive, causing speech and mobility impairments and my Dad now required full time care. 

On 9th August 2022, my Dad died peacefully at home, with a smile on his face surrounded by his family. In such devastating circumstances, we couldn't have asked for a more dignified parting. 

For those who knew my Dad he was a generous and strong northern man. Throughout his two year cancer battle, he faced it with great humour and courage, determined not to be defined by his diagnosis or loss of independence. We are all in awe of his strength and it was an honour to call him a Husband, Father, Grandpa and Friend. We miss him an incredible amount. My Dad loved travelling and snapping up opportunities, so this felt very fitting to do in his memory. 

Support from Dorothy House enabled my Dad to spend his final year being cared for at home and meet milestones which otherwise wouldn't have been achievable. The team at Dorothy House facilitated this by providing regular home visits in a caring and holistic approach to ensure that as a family we were supported throughout such a turbulent diagnosis. 

It is in his memory, that I have taken on this challenge and am asking for sponsorship towards Dorothy House to enable them to continue providing excellent services in the community for other families facing life-limiting illnesses. It only seems right to drive something positive from such an awful loss. A truly worthy cause which will always hold a very special place in our hearts.

So, this one's for you Pa!!