On 7th August 2017, David Ernest Glasper passed away. David had pancreatic cancer. 

However, an ex-RAF man (having served time in Aden and Malta), David was a real fighter and not once but three times doctors said it was the end for David yet three times he fought his way back. 

His last few months, however, were increasingly difficult and David spent a lot of time in the hospital due to complications from the Cancer including Liver and Kidney problems, Diabetes, Billary Stent blockages, water retention and at one point, even contracting both C.Diff and Billary Sepsis (blood poisoning) which was extremely tough. 

But, despite the endless complications, David never once made a fuss and remained lively and positive right to the end. Whilst in the hospital, he was still tapping his slippered feet to music, sweet talking his wife and when he was finally brought home, bed-bound and receiving palliative care, he still had the energy to tell everyone to get out of the way of the telly! 

David was such a fun, loving character; a child at heart, kind, calm and also a big lover of silly accents. You could always count on him to make you laugh (even if it sometimes wasn't appropriate...).

We already miss him terribly. 

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Much like they supported my my own Mum throughout her illness, The Butterwick Hospice also helped old Davy G with his!  

At a time where David could no longer drive, The Butterwick Hospice had volunteer drivers to pick him up and bring him home from the hospice in Stockton.  The hospice provides respite in various forms from complimentary therapies to arts and crafts days, but David found that even the simpler things like friendly advice and chatting over coffee helped to relieve any anxiety he had and helped him to be calmer and more relaxed. 

So, to thank the amazing volunteers and staff at Butterwick Hospice Stockton and to help them support other families with life-limiting illnesses, I decided to raise some more much needed funds for this great and deserving charity.

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I'll be running a mammoth 69 mile event, starting at Carlisle Castle, following Hadrian's Wall to the Millenium Bridge in Newcastle over just 24 non-stop hours on 16th June 2018.

Not only am I putting my body through its paces and pushing myself to my limits, I'm also going to let my beard grow until I've completed the race. And so, given my love of food , running and beard growing, I've decided to call myself Forrest Plump.

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Your donations have a huge impact on the Hospice no matter how small. It costs around £10,000 per day (thats nearly £4 million per year) just to keep the hospices running and the majority of that funding comes from donations. 

Donating just a small amount you can help provide patients with life-limiting conditions respite, comfort, pain-relief, counselling, advice and friendship. 

• Just £10 can help maintain and develop The Butterwick Hospice dedicated medical team.
  
  
• £20 allows The Butterwick Hospice to provide additional specialist services such as counselling, therapy and bereavement care.

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All of your support will encourage me to get through this crazy event and every pound donated is a poignant reminder of those we've lost whilst helping us to keep their memory alive by helping others in the same situation. Thank you!