My dad as everyone who knows him was just a hero, the best dad anyone could wish for and a true friend, prioritising family and friends and brightening any room that he walked into.

Dad was diagnosed with Stage 4 kidney cancer that had spread to his lungs in April 2019, he initially received immunotherapy treatment that worked amazingly to combat the cancer in his lungs, then in December 2021 the cancer had spread to the lining of his lungs, dad was transferred onto oral chemo and had some targeted radiotherapy, this helped to manage the pain but had limited success, the treatment itself in June 2022 was starting to take its toll on dad, not that he ever complained.......only about the fact that he didn't have enough energy to play golf and take money off the boys (PSHs).

In August 2022 we were given the devastating news that dad's cancer had progressed with no treatement options; we were told that he was unlikely to make it to Christmas.
18th November we celebrated Lilly's 8th Birthday at the Hospice, Dad gave her a party she wouldn't forget hosted in his personal room of the Hospice and included the conga around the inpatient unit with nurse Beth in tow. It was that good, that on the way home that
evening, Lilly asked, "can I have a Hospice party next year?"
Dad passed away peacefully with his girls on the evening of 28th November 2022.

Always laughing and joking and making amazing memories all the way to the end, I'm so blessed and proud to say, he was my dad! As Kev is to say he was his father-in-law. He was, simply ‘The Best’  

Without the Hospice team and the exemplary dad centred care that they provided we wouldn't have had the time that we did in the end with dad. Before we met with Dr Coackley, Consultant at The Hospice, in September 2022 dad was incredibly ill and in terrible pain with numerous uncontrolled symptoms and depleting energy levels. The Hospice team were amazing!

Why we thought this would be a good idea, I don't know, Kev has ran a half marathon before, I've not! We should have done a 5K, no going back now. We'll keep you updated with our training and antics.

The absolute legend that is my dad got me into running at the age of 12, inspiring me from a very young age. You name a medal in the 80s and 90s for running and my dad probably had it! He looked like the original 118 guy :-) with his mop of hair and moustache, photographic evidence in the photo gallery, take a look!

Dad would say, fail to prepare, prepare to fail! So, we’ve started to prepare, for running the Chester Half Marathon on 19th May 2024 for dad to raise vital funds for the Hospice to say thank you and to enable the Hopsice to continue to provide exceptional and vital care to its patients and their families.

Please help if you can afford to and it would be great if you could support Kev and I on the day. It'll be emotional for many reasons, Kev and I politely ask though, please, no pictures if we are blowing through our arses!

Thank you and hugs, Shaz and Kev xxx

The Hospice of the Good Shepherd provides its services free of charge to its patients and costs £5.1million to run each year with just 20% of the funding received coming from statutory sources. The remaining 80% is raised from a range of fundraising activities and the support of the generous local community in Cheshire. In addition, they raise money through their local charity shops and weekly lottery.