Hello, thanks for popping in to my JustGiving page in aid of LOROS hospice.

Before I talk about all of the beautiful, caring & sensitive things LOROS do, I wanted to explain why I am being a little bit crazy and cycling around the UK - again!!!!!!

I feel I have unfinished business from my previous bike ride in 2022. I really wanted my parents to be part of that ride and when I approached them about being my support driver, they were both non committal and didn’t really engage with the process.

Fast forward to the day after I completed my ride in June 2022 and my parents came round to explain mum had been diagnosed with the Big C. They didn’t want to tell me until after I had finished my ride. This explained completely why they couldn’t be involved in my ride. Mum sadly passed away on 10th February 2023 at the age of 73. In November 2023, dad was diagnosed with the Big C and very sadly he passed away on 8th April 2024 at the age of 72. Both my parents received tremendous compassionate care in their final days.

I have had the honour of being with 7 close family & friends who have passed away either in a hospital, a hospice or in mums case at home. I have seen the dedicated and compassionate end of life care they have received from doctors, nurses, carers and volunteers.

Sadly like a lot of our services, palliative / end of life care is severely underfunded. For example hospices around the UK, only receive around 27% of their funding from the NHS and they have to raise the remaining substantial amount from charitable donations, Hospices around the country have closed due to lack of funds.

It would be amazing if you could spare a couple of quid and sponsor me for such a worthwhile cause. I am self funding my trip and all your donations will go to help LOROS to continue to provide all of the services that we would all like to be there for when the time comes for our loved ones.

My parents will finally be coming on my bike ride with me and I cannot wait to spend quality time with them. With the blessing of my family, I will be dropping them off along the way at some amazing locations, which will hopefully be better than what dad suggested "just mix us up and put us in the bin"................

Thanks for popping in all you lovely people.

& below is a little bit more about LOROS........

LOROS is a shining example of what a hospice has to offer, not just for end of life care but for lots of other essential services:

LOROS provides vital palliative and end-of-life care to patients, alongside emotional and practical support for their families and loved ones. All of this care is completely free at the point of use. Their aim is always to relieve suffering, promote dignity, and improve quality of life at one of the most difficult times anyone can face. Over the years, LOROS has become a trusted and essential part of the local health and social care system, working in close partnership with hospitals, GPs, and community services across Leicestershire and Rutland.

They offer a wide range of services, including:

Specialist inpatient care

Day hospice and outpatient services

* Support for people in their own homes *

Counselling and bereavement support for patients and their families

Patients and families often describe LOROS services as a lifeline – and for many, that is exactly what they are. In a typical year, LOROS cares for around 2,500 patients, often stepping in when curative treatment is no longer an option. This not only supports families at a critical time, but also helps reduce pressure on the NHS by delivering care in the community. Despite the scale and importance of this work, LOROS faces significant financial challenges. Only 27% of their funding comes from the NHS, with the remaining majority raised through fundraising, donations, and gifts in wills. Across the UK, 2 in 5 hospices have already been forced to cut clinical services due to the ongoing funding crisis, and LOROS is not immune to these pressures. Like many charities, they are facing a perfect storm of rising energy costs, increased national insurance contributions, the wider cost-of-living crisis, and a noticeable drop in donations and gifts in wills. As a result, LOROS has had to make some very difficult decisions, including a recent restructure and a reduction in some clinical services. Even so, LOROS continues to fight back. Last year marked 40 years of delivering high-quality, compassionate care to thousands of people across the local community. They are determined to continue for another 40 years and beyond. LOROS believes that everyone deserves dignity, compassion, and comfort at the end of life. Fundraising is vital to ensure this care remains available for the next person who needs it – and, one day, perhaps for someone each of us loves. By supporting LOROS, you are helping to protect a service that so many families rely on, now and in the future.