I have decided at a late stage to enter the Bristol 10km and this year I am running for St Peters Hospice in memory of my dear cousin Angela.

Angela was diagnosed with cancer in her appendix and stomach lining at the end of Feb 2020. This was just as the Uk entered the first Covid-19 lockdown and so treatment was even more difficult and complex than it would be usually, with Angela having to attend a lot of appointments on her own. However she dealt with this only as Ang would, with complete grace and courage.

Sadly, despite having chemotherapy this did not work and the cancer was spreading. 

In early October 2020 Angela took a turn for the worse and after 3 weeks in hospital, moved to St Peters Hospice for what were to be the last two weeks of her life. St Peter’s Hospice provided phenomenal care for Angela, even creating an early Xmas for her and the family which she really enjoyed. St Peters Hospice also provided significant support to Angela’s family and I know how grateful they are to the charity for the comfort and dignity they gave to Angela in her last days.

Angela, and her beloved husband Russell, gave me one of the best days of my life when at the age 8 I was their bridesmaid. It was the most magical day and because of that Angela has always had a special place in my heart.

So, on 19th September 2021, which is also the day we get together as a family to celebrate her life, this is my way of doing something to honour Angela and what a wonderful woman she was. Funding for charities at a low due to the pandemic and all that has come with the last 18 months, which is why I wanted to try and raise some money for St Peters Hospice for what they did for Angela.

I am also running in honour of Angela’s close family aswell, who had to say goodbye at a time the country was locked down and the number of people who could attend the funeral were at a minimum. Despite all of that, they made sure she had the best send off possible with their heads held high for her. I cannot imagine how difficult that must have been.

So for her husband Russell, children Hollie and Josh, sister Julia, nephews Conner and Cole and Dad Roger - this is for all of them aswell, for loving Angela like they did and showing her love through her whole life.x.