This October, I will be running the London Marathon to raise money for Hospice in the Weald in memory of my Dad. I have never done anything like this before – this will be the longest race I have ever run so I thought it would be the perfect challenge to fundraise for a very special place. 

My Dad was admitted to the Hospice in April 2018. It was undoubtedly going to be an extremely challenging and painful time. I didn't fully appreciate how lucky we were to have the Hospice until afterwards. Dad visited the Hospice for a year or so before he died. All year, he benefitted from counselling, therapy, massage, reflexology, access to the arts; the list goes on! His counsellor was unreservedly kind and understanding, making time to visit him when he was an in-patient and needed it the most. 

My whole family were offered counselling services by the Hospice. In my last year at University, I was struggling to manage my grief whilst completing my finals and applying for jobs. My counsellor, Joanne, always made time for me: provided me with advice and encouragement, but also helped me to navigate my grief and pain. I would not have made it through that time without her. 

The care that Dad received whilst he was in the Hospice changed my life. He had been in and out of hospitals since I was 12 years old, and as a result, clinical environments terrified me. I thought the Hospice would be the same. Instead, Dad spent his last days surrounded by his family and loved ones, in a beautiful setting, with access to a peaceful garden straight from his room. Volunteers played his favourite Bob Dylan songs on the guitar, provided fresh flowers for his room and offered massages, Reiki and refreshments at any time. My whole perspective on what it means to care for someone changed. I was inspired by the team of Hospice staff, who treated Dad with so much respect, cared for him and for my family at the same time, gave us space and time when we needed it but were also there to listen and respond to our requests and anxious queries. 

I am now working towards dedicating my future to a role in healthcare: the experiences I had in the Hospice have influenced my career in a very significant way. I am currently working in nursing for the NHS – I have seen first hand how much the Hospice does to support patients and families every day. I am determined to take on this challenge to raise as much money as possible for the Hospice to ensure that people like Dad, and families like mine, can have the same support as we did. I am running the London Marathon not just in memory of my Dad, but for all the patients and families whose lives would undoubtedly be much worse off without the Hospice.