I am cycling, along with friends, 100 miles every week for 10 weeks to celebrate the 10 Year Anniversary of Marie Curie West Midlands hospice moving to its Marsh Lane site in Solihull.

I have worked as a Bereavement Counsellor as part of the Family Support Team for over two years now. As part of my role, I meet and support individuals of all ages who are experiencing loss, grief and death. It has been a privilege working with clients seeing how they engage, inviting us to listen to their stories and explore difficult thoughts and feelings. Our service continues to grow and develop, and I could not be prouder to be part of such a dedicated and compassionate team. I am in awe of the resilience and compassion each and every person who works in and around the hospice delivers, in order to help support individuals and their families and friends. At the hospice we see the patient as a person first.

Like many during lockdown, I revaluated my lifestyle choices and one major change for me was purchasing a exercise bike. Initially used as a weight loss tool, I realised my time on the bike gave me a bit more than that... I am reminded of a time when I felt very weighted mentally by an incredibly emotive day at the hospice. I came home and the last thing I wanted to do was go on the bike. But I did. During the ride, one of the instructors said something that made me pause and reflect;

It occurred to me; the privilege I have to be able to move my body is one of the most invaluable things. Our patients who are navigating through such a difficult time may not have this opportunity. So this is for them, for each and every person we have the honour of supporting and caring for. I don't Have to get on the bike. But I Get to - and with that, I aim to channel their resilience and create my own.

The hospice is an incredible chapter in my life and no one day is the same, but with it, comes the need for self-care. We are all human, not robots.

My challenge is to ride on my Peloton bike- with family and friends - every week 100 miles for 10x weeks. This will be a round-trip distance of our 9 hospices and Marie Curies’ head office totalling over 1000 miles!

I will start during Children's Grief Awareness week and my launch date will be on Friday 18th November and ending January 13th 2023 which is the 10 year anniversary of the Hospice moving to its purpose built building in Marsh Lane !!

This is something I have never done before and it's not going to be easy by any stretch - but my motivation is to highlight the awareness of grief and end of life care, for both Children and Adults. Throughout I will remind myself,

I will do regular updates so people can see our progress from start to finish !! Including the sweaty selfies! So if you can donate - 'You don't have to. But [if you can] you get to'.

Every penny raised will go towards Marie Curie West Midlands Hospice to continue the incredible work we all do in supporting patients and their families.

I am Born and bred in Solihull, Marie Curie is a central hub and wonderful charity that I am so proud to work for and to be supporting.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

Saiqa & friends x