In May this year, we lost our dear Dad, Husband and Brother in Law, David (or Sos to many) to the devil that is cancer. He was fit and active as he loved playing tennis, he ate a healthy diet and he was very much enjoying his life when he received the diagnosis. He had so many more years to give. What followed were 13 months of a truly heroic struggle with chemo, its side effects and the spread of the cancer. It was a fight, and Dad gave it everything. Springhill were there for us when Dad simply couldn't fight anymore.

When Dad was admitted for end of life care, Springhill Hospice provided the calm sanctuary my family needed in a time of desperate, deep sadness. They treated Dad with respect and dignity and they were gentle and attentive with all of us. They encouraged us to look after ourselves and each other; the staff seemed to really care and we'll always be thankful for their kindness.

It brings me some comfort that Springhill simply exists to care for others in their darkest moments and that's why we - Alex, Lou, Nicola and Mark - are doing The 3 Reservoir Ramble together and are fundraising for it. The event also falls close to Dad's birthday, he would've been 68. Dad enjoyed walking and tried valiantly to continue staying active throughout his chemo. Truth be told, we need this event as much as Springhill needs the money (which they definitely do). We want to feel close to Dad as we miss him so much, we need support from each other through the sadness of a birthday without him and Springhill really do need our donations to continue their invaluable work.