Dear Friends,

 

Myself and Fliss have set ourselves the challenge of running the Sydney 2010 Half Marathon on  Sunday 16 May in aid of a very special place called St Raphael's Hospice in Surrey.

 

For anyone who knows me, will realise that I am not a natural athlete! I actually hate running and could never imagine why anyone would want to participate in any running related event!

And now here I am, having signed up for a 21.1K half marathon in a matter of weeks!

 

The reason I am running is a very personal one - it's in very loving memory of Bridget Rake.

She was a kind, beautiful loving lady and was my best friend Trish's mum.

Bridie, as she was affectionately known, sadly passed away last year after being diagnosed with cancer and spent her final days in the care of St Raphael's Hospice.

 

I can not begin to tell you how wonderful St Raphael's is - it's calm and peaceful environment allows patients to feel like they are in their own home at a time when they need it the most.

The hospice needs £40,000 each week to continue their care and almost 70% of this is from donations, which keep this truely amazing place up and running.
From daily newspapers, to private gardens with beautifully decorated private rooms, the hospice gives patients everything they need at no cost whatsoever.

The hospice looks after patients from all age ranges and whilst most have advanced cancer, they also have people with other serious illnesses where help can be given to relieve pain and discomfort.

It was not only Bridie who was given amazing care - my friend Trish, her sister Christine and dad Bill were all given such love, compassion and support at the most upsetting time.

The hospice provided an atmosphere where Bridget could spend her final days in peace and comfort allowing her  privacy and the dignity she deserved.

 

Any money I can raise by taking on the challenge of the half marathon will go to help fund the hospice so it can continue its amazing work.

 

So any donation you can give - however big or small - will make running 21K worth it!

 

Thanks everyone xxxx