Hi everyone!

I’m running my very first half marathon (The Hampshire Hoppit) on June 15th not just to stretch myself as one of my #40goalsfor40 (real talk: I’ve been training for four months and I’m still slightly terrified for this cross country race!) but really to honor some very special people.

Our dear friend, Hayley; Hayley’s partner, Houli; Hayley’s Mom, Marilyn; and Houli’s Mom, Jackie, lost a beloved member of their family on December 23rd: Marilyn’s partner, Christopher “Smokes” Annetts.

Chris was a very special person and Hayley’s bonus dad—after all, “step” is only a word.

The Rosemary Foundation enabled Chris to spend his final weeks at home with his family, living life on his terms. They laughed with him, listened to him, and took care of him—body and soul.

They took care of Hayley, Houli, Marilyn and Jackie. They provided a listening ear, excellent medical advice, counseling and support when they needed it the most.

And they did it all, free of charge.

Can you believe that? FREE OF CHARGE.

The Rosemary Foundation was able to do this because of donations like the one you are about to make.

Hayley and Houli are the best kinds of friends—they show up with trays of food and cakes when you don’t even realize you need them, give you huge hugs, are always there to make you laugh and lend a listening ear, and love, celebrate and accept you for exactly who you are—even if you’re an enthusiastic schnauzer and romance novel obsessed, intrinsically optimistic American-transplant ball of joy in a naturally reserved sea of people.

The past few months since Chris’s passing have been tough on Hayley and Houli and on their moms.

Hayley and Houli have always shown up for my husband and I—please help us to now show up for them by donating to an organization that has given them and the wider Hampshire / Berkshire community so much.

With love and gratitude,

Laura

About the Rosemary Foundation:

The Rosemary Foundation was founded in 1997 by a group of dedicated former staff members of the Bordean House palliative care unit, to provide a ‘Hospice at Home’ service for patients suffering from cancer and other life-limiting illnesses.

Since then, the Foundation has supported over 3,300 patients (November 21) and their respective loved ones, and has extended the area it covers to serve a wide range of place, including Mid and South East Hampshire and into West Sussex.

The Rosemary Foundation is fully funded from grants, donations and legacies and receives no statutory funding except in exceptional circumstances where they have supported their NHS colleagues to reduce hospital admissions.

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.