Running the London Marathon has always been on my “bucket list” but I could never decide on a charity to run for…. until now. 

In early 2016, my closest friend asked me to be the best man at his wedding, which was scheduled for the 15th of May. Tom had proposed to Lauren on Christmas Day 2015 (trust him… he can barely remember his birthday, let alone an engagement date!) and between them, they managed to plan an entire wedding in 4 or so months.

Now for any newly engaged couple, turning a wedding around in 4 months is no mean feat, let alone with the constant fear that the bride’s father may not make the day. 

As many of you may know Mick (Lauren’s dad) had been battling with the dreaded “C” word for some time and was constantly in and out of hospital for treatment. Tom and I would catch up almost on a daily basis to talk through Mick’s condition and although, at times there were signs of improvement, his heath continued to deteriorate until one-day in early spring, Tom called me to say that the cancer had spread and that the hospital were unwilling to continue treatment. The news was devastating.

A short time later, Tom explained that Mick had agreed to go to Isabel Hospice for the much-needed care and support he and his family required, but he was adamant that he would be attending the wedding of his daughter at all costs. 

The closer the big day dawned, the harder his battle became, putting the entire wedding party on tender hooks wondering whether he would be there on the big day. The 15th of May arrived and unfortunately Mick was too ill to attend which broke the heart of many. The ceremony went on as planned with Lauren’s brother, Matthew, walking her down the aisle and fulfilling the father of the bride duties by reading the heart wrenching poem Mick had written in the run up to the event. 

It's only really at this point that I could fully appreciate the incredible work of the kind-hearted team at Isabel hospice. Not only did they keep Mick going with pure passion, but they sat with him watching the entire ceremony via FaceTime, offered a "wedding meal" at his bedside and even helped to arrange for the bride and groom to be flown in, via helicopter, to share the memories of the day with Mick. 

Upon arrival, Mick had been dressed by the staff in his wedding suit which brought tears to all involved. The work of the hospice is irreplaceable, second to none and sometimes misunderstood by many. 

Mick sadly passed away just 3 days after his daughter was wed. Although it has left a gaping hole in the family, the bride and groom seem to take comfort in the fact that Mick passed away with loving memories from one of the biggest days of the family’s history.

I can only imagine how tough it must have been for the Howell / Hughes family, but actually, how much tougher it would have been without the constant support provided by the Hospice. I would like to think that in my hour of need, the likes of Isabel Hospice would be there to support me and my family, the same way they supported the Howell’s. 

As many of you will know, I am in no fit state to run any sort of distance, let alone a marathon but its this very story that has inspired me to dedicate the next 6 months of my life to losing the weight, up the miles and eventually drag myself over that line in April!

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.