On the 21st April 2024, Tom Laidlaw and I are running the London Marathon in aid of Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice Care.

It’s just over a year since we lost mum to pancreatic cancer. We are privileged and old enough, and yet could barely handle the sudden task of becoming full-time carers. Desperate to provide the best possible care, but needing to maintain your own energy and support those around you can be extremely difficult. The support PTH provided us allowed us to make the most of the time we had left with mum. They provide this care to people far less fortunate than us, who lack the support network, or who are looking after young kids at the same time.

Despite this, hospice care is often ignored due to its obvious connotations, in particular by young people. Organisations like PTH provide a vital service to those who are often in some of the toughest and emotionally exhausting moments of their lives. My hope is that by supporting organisations like PTH, we can start to change the discussion on hospice care and dispel some of the myths surrounding it. A few of these we have listed below:

“Hospice care is delivered inside a hospice” - 65% of hospice care is administered outside hospices, typically at home where patients are most comfortable and so are family members.

“Hospice care is only for old people” - 40% of hospice service users are under 70, often providing care to young families who have no other support.

“Hospice care is only for the sick” - PTH also provides support to family members and carers across areas like bereavement, advice, and counselling.

Any change you can spare, small or large, is greatly appreciated.

Sam and Tom

Source: Nuffield Trust, “Support at the end of life”, 2022.