For the last 30 years, I have said I will one day run the London Marathon and now on Sunday 26th April, I am finally going to....or at least I am going to try!

I am also going to try and raise as much money as I can for an amazing local charity - St Catherine's Hospice - who have helped our family so much over the last couple of years.

When I signed up with them, I was running in memory of our wonderful, loving Mum who died in April 2024, and now I am also running in memory of our amazing Dad, who had been so strong since losing the love of his life. He was so proud of me running for Mum and also for raising money for St Catherines, to which he also donated monthly. He had hoped he would see me do it, albeit from the comfort of his arm chair, but it was not to be.

With the help and support of St Catherines, we managed to fulfil both our parents' final wishes to be able to stay in their own home until the end, hopefully making the final weeks and days as comfortable and bearable as possible. During some really hard times or when we did not know what to do, they were always on the end of the phone to give advice or visit, providing personal and supportive care, which to be honest, I had no idea was available in your own home.

St Catherine’s Hospice is an amazing local charity based in Crawley, offering compassionate, expert end-of-life care and support to people across Sussex and East Surrey. Their mission is to make sure nobody faces death and loss alone. St Catherine’s Hospice relies heavily on donations, especially since funding cuts, and every pound donated really will make a difference. I was absolutely delighted when they offered me a charity place and I don't want to let them down!

So, for the next few months, I shall be pounding the muddy paths and tracks of the Surrey Hills and will try to distract myself on those long runs by remembering all the happy times, and how lucky me, Nick and Lucy were to have had such brilliant, loving parents who created a home which was always full of love, people and fun (and quite a lot of dogs and sport and then Grandchildren too!)

Thank you so much for your kindness and generosity

Susie x