The Coronavirus crisis has brought into sharp focus the vital needs of people and their families, when facing  end-of-life care. My colleagues and I in the Mountbatten Community team face these challenges every day.

Mountbatten provides a quality service to Islanders from all walks of life with life-threatening illnesses, of which I am part of the Community team in the role of Community Support Worker. In many ways, Mountbatten, for its size and annual budget (£8,000,000) punches well above its weight in its impact and influence on the Island. 

Our CEO, Nigel Hartley recently announced that due to the closure of all our Retail outlets throughout the Island this would reduce our income by £1,000,000. The Island people have responded magnificently and to date (26th April 2020) have raised an astonishing £100,000. 

Last year I did the full walk, an unforgettable, challenging, and rewarding experience - in which I raised £820....and, yes, I could hardly walk the following morning! This year - it has not been possible to stage the event in a conventional way - so the "Virtual" Walk was created.

I have decided to do several substantial walks in the West Wight area and share my experiences, and share images of the astonishing beauty of our incredible Island - all walks, I hasten to add, will be conforming to Government Guidelines and rules and regulations.

The event has great personal resonance for me as I wish to walk it in memory of: -

 my Mum, Royle Luckett  who passed away at Mountbatten in July last year

my Aunty Jeanne who also passed away in Spring last year, and

my Cousin John in Australia, who passed away as a result of a brain tumour.

Last year I also had a brush with cancer, but after a procedure in QA Portsmouth was given the "all clear" from Prostate Cancer, but I still go for a PSA test every 6 months - so far, so good.

In my career, I have never felt the level of fulfilment in a job that I feel as a Community Support Worker at Mountbatten - it is an honour and a privilege to work within this incredible organisation.

PLEASE SUPPORT ME...and help me continue to do what I am doing

THANK YOU !!

PS - a modest target this year as I appreciate that, for many, times are a lot tougher financially - but any donation will be greatly appreciated.

Blessings 

John