UPDATE- Challenge complete!

“I am so proud of the care each patient and their family receive from the moment they start their journey with Isabel Hospice. Beyond the clinical care that the staff of Isabel Hospice provides, we make a point to spend quality time with our patients and getting to know them and their family and learn about what is important to them. Going this extra mile makes such a huge difference and is one of the things that makes working for Isabel Hospice so special.

And quality time is what Christmas is all about. We try our hardest to ensure our patients and their families have the best Christmas possible. Everyone deserves to feel special and loved at this time of year – particularly when they’re going through an incredibly difficult time. It’s our goal to ensure that all our patients can feel the warmth of Christmas as much as they are able to. Because of course, for some, this may sadly be their last.

That’s why I am dedicating my final climb, and 12th mountain, this December to all the patients past and present who have spent a Christmas with Isabel Hospice.

My last mountain of the challenge was Myndd Mawr which is Welsh for ‘Big Mountain’, standing at 698 metres. This was on December 2nd. My niece Lorna and my friend Helene accompanied me on my last adventure.

From the car park we could see white on the summit and with the forecast predicting snow showers at mid-day we set off early and planned to be down off the mountain before the snow came. The snow showers decided to come early at around 11.30 and as we made our way down in the snow we talked about how Christmas can be a difficult time for many people, especially those caring for loved ones who are approaching the end of their life.

This has been an amazing experience and the best part without a doubt has been meeting the most amazing people. I am honored to have been able to continue to be part of the journey of some of patients relatives , even after the death of their loved ones, and that has been really special to me.

Thank you to everyone who have helped me to complete this challenge. This includes friends, colleagues and family members who have accompanied me on some of my climbs, all of you who have generously made donations, and all of the patients and their families who have supported me. I wish you all a peaceful Christmas and New Year''

Introduction

I started working for Isabel Hospice as a staff nurse in 2003. Since then, I have done various jobs within the hospice, and for the last 10 years I have worked as a Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) and Safeguarding Lead. During the last 3 years, I have also acted as Interim Team Leader for the Community Services.

Isabel Hospice provides palliative support to the 370,000 people who live in eastern Hertfordshire. Hospice care is about helping people to live well for as long as possible and have a good death in the place of their choice when the time comes. Without your help, we could not make this possible for our patients and their families. Each year we care for approx. 2,000 people but we know there are even more people that need our help.

My challenge is to climb 12 Mountains in 12 Months (throughout the year of 2023)! Each mountain that I climb will be either in celebration of something, or in memory of someone. I want to do this to raise awareness of the Hospice and the care that we provide, whilst celebrating and remembering those who have utilised our services.

In the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland, a mountain is usually defined as any summit of at least 2,000 feet (610 meters) high. For this challenge, I will aim to climb mountains that meet this definition within the UK.

Mountain One:

On 2nd January 2023, I climbed my first mountain of this challenge, Moel Siabod, to celebrate my 20th year of working for Isabel Hospice. Moel Siabod is 2,861 feet and is the highest peak in the Moelwynion Mountain Range in North Wales, with a rocky scramble at the top where you need to use your hands. By the time I reached the top, I was wearing all of the layers from my rucksack as there was still snow and ice from the previous cold spell in December. As I walked, I reflected on my time at Isabel Hospice. I consider myself very lucky and privileged to have worked for the same organisation for this length of time, and to be part of the growth and development of Isabel Hospice, where I have had lots of opportunities for my self-development. One of the best things about working for Isabel Hospice has been working with such lovely colleagues as everyone who works for this organisation is truly amazing - but the best part, without a doubt, is the patients and families that we support. Working in specialist palliative care can be emotionally challenging at times, but being able to support people at such a difficult time in their life and to make a difference is such a privilege.

Here's to the next 11 Mountains!