My dear friend Lucy died on August 10th. She was cared for by the wonderful nurses from Iain Rennie who also supported her husband Martin and children Louise, 10 and Robert, 9. 

Lucy was never one to complain and always saw the funny side of everything. The last time I saw her, just a couple of weeks before she died, she wanted to go shopping for sandals. In the end after some deliberation she went for the flat comfy ones (not one pair, but two) and we decided the sparkly sequinned stilettos would just have to wait.

In fact, we had lots of lovely days out (always involving cake) when Lucy was determined to spend her money (much to her daughter's dismay ' Mummy your spending my inheritance!!' came the cry after yet another shopping trip).

And how she would have laughed at me (my technophobia was always a source of amusement) when I sent the text to let friends and family know she had finally gone (because, boy did she keep hanging on!) as it continually bounced back as my phone went into overdrive. It was as if she was there saying 'No, I haven't really gone, don't send that message'.

But she finally did slip away and in her memory I want to raise as much as I can for Iain Rennie, so that those who follow her will have the same wonderful care that she had.

So, I'm going to take part in The Chilterns 3 Peak Challenge www.c3peaks.com in memory of my lovely, brave, friend who shared my love of walking and who I am going to miss so much.