Earlier this year, my Mum, Edra Cooper, was diagnosed with terminal breast cancer. The last few months have been immensely difficult for my family, friends and all that know and love my Mum, as we’ve tried to come to terms with the news.

Mum has always shown kindness in everything she has done, through her work with the Salvation Army or her relentless desire to ensure every child, no matter their circumstances, had a chance at education. If it was buying children pencil cases and bags out of her own pocket when they started at high school or simply being an incredible Mum and mentor to me, my brother Chris and so many others, Mum always put others ahead of herself.

Edra Cooper is an absolute pillar of the Dereham community. She taught for many years at Northgate High School and is still known to many around Dereham as Mrs Cooper. We can’t go anywhere as a family without finding adults, their parents and in some cases even their grandparents that Mum taught who want to stop and speak with her.

I am so glad to say, that Mum’s kindness has been returned in the care and support she has received from the Priscilla Bacon Lodge (PBL). PBL have worked tirelessly to ensure that Mum’s pain is managed appropriately and will be there for her through all the challenges that lie ahead. They have been sincere and detailed in ensuring Mum has a choice and dignity every step of the way.

My oldest friend, Andrew Spinks, decided that he wanted to do something to help and support us as a family and came up with the idea of running the Norwich Half Marathon on Sunday 23rd of November, to raise money for PBL. I’ll be running with him, along with other dear friends, as we try to raise as much as possible for this amazing organisation that have helped my family at such a difficult time.

Any amount that you give towards our fundraising efforts will help my Mum, and others like her to receive the kindness, care, expertise and generosity of spirit that we have experienced as a family.

All the best and thank you,

Matt.

The Priscilla Bacon Hospice Charity is dedicated to enhancing the lives of patients and their families receiving care from Priscilla Bacon Lodge. They are focused on developing the core services provided by the NHS, both within the hospice and throughout the wider community.

Your support enables the Charity to offer art and music therapies, maintain the beautiful gardens, and fund essential specialist equipment. It also helps support research, education, and training to improve care at Priscilla Bacon Lodge, throughout Norfolk, and beyond.