In loving memory of Cynthia (1961-2017), Steven (1952-2023) & our friends' loved ones.

Thank you for taking a moment to visit my JustGiving page. My family, friends and I are helping to raise funds for Pilgrims Hospice charity deliver skilled and compassionate end-of-life care to thousands of people in east Kent in the UK every year. Your support is appreciated and so crucial for this charity.

I'm sharing our team's purpose and my story with you.

My mum, Cynthia, would share many proverbs with my sibling and me during her lifetime. As I'm writing and sharing this story, I recall the warmth of my mum's hugs, smiles and the one proverb distinctively instilled into my fondest memory, as she would say,

This roughly translates to,

When she died in 2017 from Bowel Cancer, I remember the compassionate palliative care that she received, which genuinely made her final journey peaceful and dignified. Even though it was heartbreaking to let her go, feeling helpless and thinking there was no logic/reason to this end. We have a saying that the most selfless act of love is to accept the reality in front of you and give your loved one permission to leave in their chosen final moment.

As the years gone by, we've all learned to live with our emotions and thoughts of bereavement, yet, as life throws you of all sorts, it's with great sadness to say our dad, Steven, died last Easter in 2023 from a rare B-cell lymphoma (Blood Cancer).

Having cared for them throughout the struggles of their cancer journeys, the compassionate end-of-life care they both received has been the most exceptional, peaceful and dignified for everyone involved.

My dad was a person who lived in the present, believed in fate and destiny, and was devoted to supporting and loving our mum, Cynthia, unconditionally. Needless to say, my family and I are still processing the death of both parents - but one thing I do know is no matter what happens, there's always a path forward. For me, it's remembering that my mum lived her life helping others and always took the opportunity to support charities. I remember how my dad lived by embracing the present and taking life one day at a time.

To carry on our parent's legacy supporting charities, this year, my family and friends are once again reunited to cycle as "Team Cynthia & Steven" in fundraising for Pilgrims Hospice so that they can continue their excellent, compassionate palliative care services across Kent in the UK by taking on the Cycle Challenge on Sunday, 5th May 2024.

💕 In 2019, those who funded and supported us for the cause of Pilgrims Hospice, we, as Team Cynthia, reached a total of £2888.00 offline and online combined.

🌟 This year, we would appreciate your support in any way you can; 100% of your funds from JustGiving will go to Pilgrims Hospice.

💡Alternatively, you could help us raise awareness by sharing this page

🚴🏻‍♀️ Join JustGiving and Team Cynthia and Steven to start fundraising together: http://www.justgiving.com/team/teamcynthiaandsteven?invite=true

✍️ Sign up and join us for the Cycle Challenge on the day: bit.ly/PHCycleChallenge24

Thank you so much in advance and taking the time to read our story. We'll keep you posted on the final team members and distances we've signed up for in May 2024.

In a closing note, I'm sharing our family values and perspective on life: