We are raising money for Thorpe Hall Hospice in Peterborough, where my Mum is currently receiving end of life care.

In May 2013, Mum was diagnosed with bowel cancer. After major operations in Peterborough and Manchester, we all thought she had beaten this awful disease, but in August 2015, Mum was told that the cancer had returned, and there was no cure available. Palliative care was all that could be offered. Despite this, Mum continued to live life to the full, like she always has.

However, Mum’s health deteriorated in October, and we were at a loss for what to do. The pain and sickness that Mum experienced were awful to witness - we felt helpless. Luckily, a MacMillan nurse came to us and persuaded Mum that the team at Thorpe Hall Hospice were experts in pain relief and palliative care. Mum was naturally apprehensive about this idea, but the pain was becoming too much, even for her, who many considered the bravest, strongest lady they had ever met.

I think I speak for everyone who knows Mum when I say that we were overwhelmed by the care and kindness Mum received at Thorpe Hall. Not only did they get her pain under control, they found the right balance in drugs to enable her to return to her normal life that she loved so much. She was able to chase her two grandsons around the garden, go on several holidays, and greet her third grandchild into the world. The nurses, doctors and staff were amazed at Mum’s fighting spirit, never letting the cancer beat her. She is often referred to as the miracle lady by the nurses there.

Mum has always fought the cancer with a smile on her face, and showed extreme courage and determination to not let it stop her. However, in June this year a scan revealed the tumour was not responding to chemo, so all treatment was stopped. She returned to Thorpe Hall for a second time for pain control, responding so well that she even managed to attend the muddiest ever Glastonbury with us all. Thorpe Hall had ensured that there were medical arrangements in place for when she arrived. This highlights what an amazing, strong lady my Mum is. It also shows how supportive and respectful Thorpe Hall are of their patients wishes, whilst ensuring that their medical needs are met at all times.

Later, in July, Mum became extremely dehydrated after enjoying a lovely family holiday in Devon. Due to a blockage in Mum's bowel, food was no longer able to pass through, resulting in constant pain and sickness. When we returned to Peterborough, the consultant indicated that Mum’s condition was so severe that she had only days left to live. Dad was told to prepare the family.

Once again, against all the odds, Mum fought through, with the assistance of Thorpe Hall staff. Seven weeks later, she is still there, still receiving outstanding care from the nurses, doctors and volunteers. Nothing is too much trouble, and the facilities that they can offer are all designed to make their patients feel comfortable, and at home. Thorpe Hall also go out of their way to support families through these difficult times. Being the most painful experience we have ever been through, we are also extremely grateful for the care and support we receive too.

We want to create awareness for Sue Ryder’s Thorpe Hall as it is such a special place. However, as it is funded entirely through charity donations, there is always a risk that it will not always be there to help patients like my Mum.

To help create this awareness, I am running the 10K Insane Terrain muddy obstacle run in Cambridge on 25 September 2016 with my friend Kay Batkin, who is also raising money for Thorpe Hall.

My brother, Rob Preston, and my partner, Brendon Palmer, are running the half marathon in the Great Eastern Run on 9 October 2016. I shall be tagging along for the 5K Fun Run.

Every day it costs Thorpe Hall £8,000 to provide incredible care to
patients like my Mum and our family. Any donations you can spare will help Thorpe Hall ensure patients like my Mum spend their final days as comfortably as possible.