In 2011 Karen was diagnosed with Mesothelioma, an incurable asbestos-related lung cancer. In 2017, towards the end of her life, she was supported by the Weldmar Hospice and outreach team with advice, equipment, visits and a bed in the Hospice for her final 3 days.

Together with a friend I have already walked 250 miles of the South West Coast Path and I agreed with Karen to complete this after her death as a fundraising project to support Weldmar, who rely heavily on donations.

It is hard to find any positives after an illness like this but one was our good fortune to have the Weldmar so close by. Whatever one's views on end of life care and assisted dying (which we both supported - and I still do) I believe that Hospices are a vital source of comfort and reassurance to which everyone should have access and that needs funding.

Karen also loved walking, which has given me some of my fondest memories of our time together, and in particular the beautiful West Country coastline that we both enjoyed.