📆 100km - 31 Days - May 2026🏃‍♀️ Walk 100km - indoors or outside

Fair Havens hospice saved me even though I wasn’t the person with cancer. They supported both my husband Paul and I when he became more poorly and I was struggling to care for him on my own.

Paul had two brain tumour in the end, the original one at the front of his brain followed by one that migrated to his brain stem. Partly due to having part of his skull removed and having a shunt - Paul managed to live a good life without much pain. However in July 2025 he started to deteriorate resulting in dementia type symptoms and having several falls causing broken teeth, black eyes, cuts and bruises.

It got to the point that he could not be left alone so I stayed with him 24/7 and for over 6 weeks I hardly left the house and reality started to dawn on me that Paul was going to die - this affected my mental health badly and I was probably close to having a mental breakdown.

In steps Fair Havens - they gave Paul respite and I had a few days relief. They helped with funding carers to help look after Paul and allowed him to start getting things in place before he left us. He also had some complimentary therapy - which he loved.

They recognised me as a carer and understood what that entailed - I was invited to a carers support group where I met people in the same situation as myself as well as providing information and talks from a variety of people such as a palliative care nurse, a solicitor, an advocacy. It made you feel less lonely and isolated. When I wasn’t sure if I could get through another day, they were there for me. All of the staff at Fair Havens are literally angels - from the moment you walk in the reception staff make you feel at ease. Everyone from the canteen staff, nurses & hcas, physios, doctors, therapists to the cleaners couldn’t be nicer and more caring if they tried. They simply are the best but they need extra funding to ensure they can help as many people as possible.

My husband Paul sadly died on 27th February 2026 at 1.36am. He was an absolute warrior fighting cancer for 13 years. So in Paul’s memory and to say thank you for all the love, care and support they gave both Paul & I, I’m going to walk 100km in May!

💙 Havens Hospices provides specialist care and support for people of all ages who are living with incurable conditions and their families. They have to fund most of the money they need to run the hospices themselves so anything you can give would be so appreciated.