I am climbing Ben Nevis for East Cheshire Hospice - In honor of Jayne Burke.

Cancer doesn’t discriminate. It doesn’t care how healthy you are, how active you’ve been, or how well you’ve looked after yourself. It can knock on any of our doors, at any time, turning life upside down in an instant.

My friend Jayne Burke is living proof of that. She has always been someone who loves walking, keeping fit, and staying active—hiking up mountains, eating clean, and embracing a healthy lifestyle. Yet, despite all of that, she has been diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer. The news has devastated everyone who loves her.

Jayne is not just a friend—she is a beloved sister, aunty, and mother to her wonderful children, Charlotte and Alex. This diagnosis has shaken them all to the core. No family is ever truly prepared for something like this, and they are relying heavily on the support of places like East Cheshire Hospice to help them cope. The hospice isn’t just there for Jayne—it’s there for her whole family, offering them comfort, guidance, and a safe space to navigate the unimaginable.

East Cheshire Hospice is more than just a place for end-of-life care—it’s a sanctuary for people facing terminal illness, ensuring that no one has to go through this alone. They provide expert nursing and medical care, helping to manage pain and symptoms so people like Jayne can have the best quality of life possible. But their support goes far beyond the physical.

They offer counselling and emotional support for patients and their families, helping them come to terms with the grief, fear, and uncertainty that a terminal diagnosis brings. Their art therapy sessions provide a creative and therapeutic outlet for self-expression, while their complementary therapies—such as massage and reflexology—help with relaxation and pain relief. They also run support groups where families can connect with others who truly understand what they’re going through.

None of this comes for free. The hospice needs over £9,000 a day to keep running and relies entirely on donations to continue its work. Without fundraising and the generosity of supporters, families like Jayne’s wouldn’t have this essential care during the hardest moments of their lives.

We couldn’t do this without them. That’s why I’m climbing Ben Nevis—to honour Jayne, to stand with her in the only way I can, and to help ensure East Cheshire Hospice can continue their vital work.

If you can, please donate. Every pound raised will help other families facing the hardest of times receive the care and support they desperately need.