Follow my #10in10challenge on Instagram - @ryan10in10

Background

In October 2011, my mother, Rachel Judson, was diagnosed with a Grade 3, malignant brain tumour, at the age of just 45. My mother lived with this illness until her sad passing at the age of just 49 on the 19th October 2015. Throughout her illness, and beyond, Sue Ryder Manorlands Hospice were an incredible source of support to my mother, as well as my sister and I. The Hospice provided a range of equipment, including an electric bed, recliner chair and a stairlift, meaning that Mum could stay at home throughout her illness, even when her movement had been severely restricted.

As well as this incredible support that allowed Mum to stay comfortable in her own home throughout her illness, she was also able to attend weekly sessions at the Day Therapy Unit at the Hospice. Here, Mum could spend time with some of the nurses and care assistants, who would wash her hair, paint her nails and offer other pamper treatments. As well as giving my sister (who was a full time carer for Mum despite being only 21 at the time of her death) some respite, this also allowed my mum to experience a change of scenery and the chance to be pampered too.

Without the support of Sue Ryder Manorlands Hospice, I’m not sure how we would have coped as a family following mum’s diagnosis, and then her death. We are eternally indebted to the charity and hope that they can continue to support other people and families in the way that they supported ours, especially our wonderful mum.

The Challenge

To commemorate the tenth anniversary of my mum’s passing, I will be taking on ten challenges in the first ten months of 2025, with the aim of raising £10,000 for Sue Ryder Manorlands Hospice. The ten events/challenges I will be taking on are as below:

17th-18th January - 24 Hour Spin-a-thon

February - Run 10K a day for the full month

1st March - The Ullswater Way

27th April - London Marathon

11th May - Leeds Marathon

20th - 22nd June - Hadrian's Wall Trek

25th July - 12 Hour Swimming Challenge

24th August - Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge

7th September - 36 mile hike - Denholme to St. James's Hospital in Leeds and back

19th October - Yorkshire Marathon

Supporting the challenge

Any donations in support of the challenge in memory of my Mum are hugely appreciated. Along with the challenge events, I will also be running some in-person fundraisers, and so am looking for auction and raffle prizes, as well as kit sponsors. If you would like to support in any of those ways, please do get in touch.

Thank you for any support you might be able to offer.