I am a Palliative Care Nurse Consultant at Michael Sobell House. I am also a horse lover. For many years it has been a privilege to take my horses to visit patients and their families in Hospices, bringing great joy to many.

Continuing the theme of how good horses are for Hospices, I am now embarking upon an exciting equestrian adventure with high hopes of raising at least £15,000 for a very special piece of equipment for the Inpatient Unit: a “Cuddlebed”. The clue is in the name, innovation meets compassion. Starting as single patient bed to allow full nursing care, at the touch of a button, these ingenious beds widen to a double bed, allowing patients and their loved ones to come together for a cuddle. I have been a nurse for 35 years and in my long career, I have seen how profoundly human touch can comfort people at their most vulnerable times. The Cuddlebed will give so many patients and their families this chance to share precious moments.

Caring for a young Mum, Priya at Michael Sobell last Christmas has been my inspiration for bringing a Cuddlebed to the Hospice. Priya’s devoted husband, Dan, spent many days and nights beside her in a recliner chair. However, throughout this time, Dan, wanted nothing more than a chance to be in the same bed as his beloved wife. The family made other memories; myself and another nurse, Donna, accompanied Priya, Dan, their 5 years old daughter, plus other family members to Disneyland Paris for the day, shortly before Priya died, a beautiful, memory-making opportunity shared with her loved ones. And yet, we could still have brought one more joy to this family before Priya died. I clearly remember Dan’s words, “I’d give anything to be beside her, to cuddle her in a bed just one last time”.

Starting off in O Cebreiro, Spain, I, accompanied by my friends Kate and Sarah will ride Spanish horses along the most famous part of the Camino Way, arriving 150km and 6 days later at Santiago de Compostela, dismounting my horse at the steps of the Cathedral.

Every penny raised will go towards buying a Cuddlebed and not towards the cost of the trip - in fact, thanks to the amazing generosity of my supporters, we have already raised enough to buy one Cuddlebed and want to buy a second! And, even better news, thanks to one particularly generous donor, every penny raised towards the second Cuddlebed will be DOUBLED - so every donation from this point on until I reach my new target will go twice as far. Also, if I exceed this target, any additional donations raised will support patients being cared for on the Inpatient Unit.

Thank you for taking the time to read this and for supporting me in my ambition.