Louise and Leah are taking on a 7.5km sponsored walk at midnight on the 10th July, in aid of the amazing and incredible St Luke’s Hospice in Plymouth.

Louise lost her lovely Dad, Dave, to an aggressive brain tumour in June last year. Dave was otherwise fit and well and had an active role in the lives of his young grandchildren. In April ‘25, he stated to become very tired, a bit forgetful and doddery, his eyesight suffered particularly in one eye and the way he walked changed. The GP referred him to A&E, and after a 20 hour wait, we were told he had a swelling on his brain (hydrocephalus), relieved initially by a shunt. Back to normal life he went- for the next few weeks he enjoyed eating out, trips with friends, and even booked a holiday. But during a trip to the aquarium in May, he suffered an aneurism, and after a scan, a tumour was discovered in a very intricate part of his brain. He became increasingly unwell over the following 3 weeks, ending in a short stay at St Luke’s, before sadly passing away on the 12th June.

Despite Dave’s short time at St Luke’s, the impact this simply incredible place had on Louise and her family was enormous. The people, the incredible people, their compassion, their humanity. The difference between St Luke’s and the hospital- it really bears no comparison and made all the difference in the darkest of days. Bizarrely St Luke’s is not a sad place, it’s peaceful and happy. We laughed, we cried, we bought the dogs in say their goodbyes, they jumped on the bed, licked Dave’s hands, they understood this was goodbye and their love was embraced and encouraged. The grandchildren came, they were given attention, welcomed, given a memory bear, there was a room to play/ read/ watch TV. The baby was cuddled by the nurses, and taken from the hands of a grieving daughter when she needed the respite. The visiting hours weren’t restricted, the family could be there day and night. They could play music, facilitate goodbyes from relatives who could not make it there in person. They could walk the beautiful gardens, look at the sea, chat to other families going through the same. Unlike a hospital environment, there were just so many staff around to support, ask questions to, offer a hug or a cuppa or even a tipple. St Luke’s is a community, it’s more than a place, it’s a family that is so very special to Louise and her family. Louise completed the St Luke’s midnight walk in 2025 with her newborn daughter and Mum. This year she has a different fundraising companion…

Louise and Leah met in what some may describe as unusual circumstances. Leah was Dave’s Funeral Director and first met the family at St Luke’s. Over the following weeks, the family would speak to Leah almost daily around funeral arrangements, and visits to Dave. Leah became a beacon of light in such a dark time, and as fate would have it, Leah and Louise have become close friends. This year they have decided to complete the midnight together- Louise in memory of Dave, and for Leah in appreciation of the incredible charity she sees in action daily. This cause is importantly to us both, and we can’t wait to take part in such a wonderful event, raising as MUCH as we can for St Luke’s on the way!