THANK YOU for supporting Colchester Hospitals Charity on this fundraising page. Colchester Hospitals Charity makes a real and positive difference to patient care in north east Essex by providing the many extras that cannot be supplied by the NHS alone. CoHoC supports patients and staff by improving the hospital environment, buying new equipment and amenities and funding additional staff training.The charity works with wards and units across the Hospital and your kind donations will help us to make your hospital even better.

My dad died at Colchester Hospital in April 2012, a week before that year's London Marathon. I had that year off running marathons, but my sister ran her first and only marathon just a week after he died.  Because of the time of year he died, and the timing of spring marathons, he is always very much in my mind when I toe the start line of my marathons, and these final few days play in my mind a lot. 

We knew it was coming, but it was still shocking to have those conversations. The staff at Colchester Hospital took such good care of me and my sisters and mum as we said goodbye to Dad in his last few days.

He was too unstable to move, and the hospice didn't have space for him at the time anyway, so we were in a side room off the ward until he took his last breath.

Whilst the care was exceptional, we didn't have anywhere to go to get some fresh air, except for the busy entrance and car park to the hospital. Tranquility and peace with some privacy would have been nice, and this is why I support the Time Garden, for End of Life patients at Colchester Hospital.

I have received my London Marathon place through Good for Age Qualification, which means the charity did not have to pay for the place, which means all funds I raise will go to this cause. In addition, my Goodgym runners will be available to maintain the garden once its up and running (pun intended).

Please donate generously, in memory of my dad, and for all those people who will receive end of life care at Colchester Hospital.