There is only one certainty in Life, and that is Death! If we are lucky and live to a good old age, where we would peacefully die in our sleep, not ever knowing the pain from losing family or friends, then we would be trully blessed! However, this is not a reality for many people.

As a society, where free healthcare has been a symbol of social equality and long endured the envy of other nations, we, the medical professionals, have become focused on saving lives at all cost! The news are full of “heroes“ who save the lives of others and yet, little is being invested, celebrated and admired in those “heroes“ who provide a truly compassionate and remarkable care for people in their last days and hours of their Life. In the Emergency Department, where I have offen held the hand of a dying patient, crying with the family and face the reality that awaits us All, I have often wondered: how do the Sue Ryder specialist teams provide expert and compassionate care to many more day after day?! What extraordinary human beings are those who can care for those people at the end of their lives, allowing for friendship, family and love in their final moments together.

All human beings should be able to enjoy a good Life yet we rarely talk about a good Death. From personal experience and that of my husband who is a GP, the care that Sue Ryder has provided to many of our patients and families is immeasurable, though it comes at a cost that relies on charitable donations. For example: - £21 could help fund an hour of expert care and help fill another familys final days with love - £60 could provide one complementary therapy session - £145 per person could fund a Sue Ryder Nurse for a day - £500 per corporate team could fund 24 hours of Sue Ryder care. - It costs around £3,244 for someone to be cared for at home in their final days by a Sue Ryder Hospice at Home Nurse.

The idea for doing this walk as a family came from Bob, our 8 year old son, who often asks challenging questions about Death. Yet the more we talk about it openly , face our mortality and share our stories in memory of friends, family and patients we have lost, the more we can learn to appreciate each day that is given to us!

In memory of Grandad Angel, my rock growing up! The wisdom in my heart!

In memory of Keith Mallinson, my UK guardian, together with Margaret his wife, welcomed me into their home and loved me like a daughter!

In memory of Rachel, my friend, who shone light when the path was rarerly visible.

In memory of Dr Robin, whose Life was that of his communiy.

In memory of all the patients we have watched dying. You taught us how we must live Life.