As many of you will already know – and for the benefit of those that don't – Mum was diagnosed with cancer not long after we returned from a surprise family Caribbean cruise for her 70th birthday in 2016.

She fought the cancer initially with fierce determination going through rounds of invasive radio- and chemo-therapy – sadly, with neither treatment showing any sign of improvement. The cancer was terminal. 

After initially trying to carry on as normal, in time the side effects of the cancer began to restrict Mums daily activities. My siblings and I did what we could to support and care for Mum in any way we could but after much deliberation and with heavy hearts, due to the shear amounts of medication she needed, we had no choice but to admit her in to St Barnabas Hospice, Lincoln.

We didn't know what to expect, we were worried, we didn't want to leave Mum, we knew Mum wanted to stay at home... needless to say we had our reservations. 

I wouldn't wish what Mum went through on anyone but in that awful situation that we found ourselves in, St Barnabas Hospice was the best place she could have been.

The whole team were amazing. They each went over and above anything we could have imagined to make Mum as welcome and comfortable as possible throughout those last seven weeks. As well as being there for Mum 24/7, they comforted and supported my siblings and I on many occasions and nothing was too much to ask. Always happy to help, lend a shoulder, an ear, offer support and answer our questions at any hour of the day. They even offered for the whole family to go in on  Christmas day to spend the day with Mum where they would give us our own room to decorate how we wished and have our Christmas day dinner there together as a family! Sadly Mum never made it to Christmas that year.

We'd like to give something back to St Barnabas for all that they did for our family. The charity wouldn't be able to run and do such amazing things for families like ours without financial support... 

Please, please, please donate whatever you can. 

We can whole heartedly say we will run our socks off for every penny donated – every 50+ mile of that Ultra!

Z&R xx

St Barnabas Hospice is a local independent charity and every year we support more than 9,000 people across Lincolnshire with a life limiting or terminal condition. We deliver free, high-quality, compassionate end-of-life care and support to patients, their families and carers. We aim to enable them to live as fully as they are able for however many days, weeks or months they have left.We are reliant on the financial support our community provides so that we can be there for more patients, their families and carers, every day of the year.