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On Saturday 3^rd September a group of Garry’s family and friends will be walking 20 miles around Southend, going past places that were familiar to Garry, to raise money for Fair Havens Hospice. This is to
say thank you to the people that gave Garry such excellent end of life care and in recognition of the fact that hospices rely on our charity as they receive little government funding.

Garry Lowen made life better for a lot of people; this may have been through his charity work, as a work colleague, as a guesthouse host,as a friend or relative or by his efforts and enthusiasm for Southend-on-Sea his hometown and the place he loved best. He was awarded Freeman of the Borough in recognition of this just before he died.

In April 2021 he was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease
and just as everyone else was beginning to celebrate the easing of Covid restrictions, Garry’s life was becoming more and more restricted by the day. But he didn’t complain. He faced his death like he had faced his life; with grace, positivity in the face of daily challenges and the desire to make sure everyone else was ok.

The last ten days of his life were spent in Fair Havens hospice. Anyone who visited him here may have been surprised to find somewhat of a party atmosphere in Garry’s room. They may have also heard his book being read to him. ‘And then … the story of the life in my years’ was something he had been working on since his diagnosis and it was completed just before he died on 22nd April this year. (This will shortly be available and all profits will be going to Fair Havens so please let us know if you would like a copy!)

Garry’s was a life well-lived and we want to remember it as we walk round Southend. We will be starting at Southend Rugby Football Club, the scene of many happy memories for Garry, in Warners Bridge Park SS2 5RE at about 8am. Our walk will head into Leigh-on-Sea going past significant locations for Garry including places he had lived and went to school. We will of course be walking down the pier and back and will take in Gleneagles Guesthouse and Fair Havens too before finishing back at the Rugby Club.

Thank you for visiting this page and thank you in advance for your kind donation. Please tell other people about this too!

Penny, Laura (Lead Support!), Hannah, Megs, Dave, Mike, Liz &
Sarah & maybe more!

“And in the end it’s not the years in your life that count, it’s the life in your years.”    Edward J. Stieglitz

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