On 1st April 2025, following an A&E visit for what we thought at the time was a potential blood clot, our world changed very quickly. Our mum Zara, or Zed as her friends knew her, was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer. She was ready to fight, she wanted to, but sadly the cancer was just too advanced and she passed away surrounded by my sisters and I just 18 days later, on 18th April.

What makes it even harder to understand is that she had a scan in April 2024 which was clear. The cancer progressed and spread incredibly quickly, leaving us very little time to process what was happening or to prepare to say goodbye. One day she was fine, and the next she just, wasn't.

Mum left behind a huge family who love her deeply, three daughters, three sons-in-law, eight grandchildren, her cat Monty, two sisters, and so many friends and extended family. Many people who loved her didn’t get the chance to say goodbye because everything happened so fast.

In her final days, Mum was cared for by the incredible team at Havens Hospices. They showed her such compassion, dignity, and kindness, and they supported us as a family during the most difficult moments of our lives while we said goodbye.

The day before she passed, we took her outside into the garden at Havens, the sun was shining, and if you knew Mum then you know how much of a sun-worshipper she was. We sat in the sunshine and listened to all her favourite songs with a glass of wine. It was a bittersweet moment that was very 'mum' during such a horrific time.

Over the past year we’ve been learning how to grieve and how to live with such a huge loss. Mum was the glue that held our family together and life feels very different without her.

My boys make it their mission to spot the 'red tummy birds' when we go out, as Grandma said that they will be her. When the sun is shining, we are reminded of the BBQs and hot tub days at her house, with the kids running around and Mum handing out ice lollies. There have also been so many times where we’ve instinctively gone to pick up the phone to call her, only to remember that we can’t anymore.

Because of the care Havens gave Mum, and the support they have given us not just during that time, but also since, offering free bereavement therapy to our family, my sister Chantal and I will be running the Southend Half Marathon this June in her memory and to raise money for Havens Hospices.

Every donation will help them continue providing specialist care and support for families going through the hardest times imaginable.

If Mum knew we were doing this, which we hope somewhere, somehow she does, she'd say we were bonkers. Whilst everyone is out running half marathons for fun at the weekends, we find running a 5K a mental slog. But Mum taught us, not just at the end but through our whole lives, how to be strong, resilient and brave.

If you’re able to donate, thank you so much. And if not, sharing the page would mean the world.

This run is for you Mum. 💙