In April this year my mum passed away. One minute she was living independently at home and then suddenly following a fall everything changed. Following a short stay in hospital she was admitted to Dove House in January, quite a complex patient, a broken arm, a severe stroke, but also with an underlying cancer diagnosis. She was frail, upset with very limited mobility, and little quality of life. Even something as simple as using a TV Remote had become too difficult to manage.

Over the next few weeks, the amazing staff at Dove House and the holistic approach with my mums’ care made significant improvements with her mobility, pain management and even her appetite so she could spend her last few weeks in a nursing home. The medical team, the nursing staff, therapists, catering and all the lovely volunteers allowed my mums last few weeks to be the best they could possibly be.

Dove House provides vital services at the hospice and in the community that are just not available on the NHS. We may all consider hospice care will be there as people approach the very end of life, but how many realise the full extent of the services provided? The consultant led inpatient unit which provides pain management and respite care; the physio and therapies team who deliver a range of treatments to support mobility and independence; the family support team, a listening ear with practical and emotional support to patients, families, and carers. These are just some of the services from a truly remarkable team of healthcare professionals.

Across the country the burden of funding hospice care falls squarely on the shoulders of the community it serves. Dove House only receives around 10% from the Government and so 90% has to come from fundraising activities.

My 10k run in memory of my mum Grace, is only a small part but hopefully one you will support. Thank You