On the 21st April 2021 my extraordinary mum Carole Davis sadly passed away at 60 years old from an aggressive form of stage 4 bowel cancer which then spread to her lungs and liver. My mum was the most magical, kind, loving, fun, colourful, unique and giving woman that left us all too soon. She lit up every room she walked in with her youthful spirit and magnetic energy and would brighten up anyone’s day (especially when wearing her iconic neon green or fuchsia pink outfits – strangers on the street would often stop her to say that!) She was indescribably strong too. She fought her battle with cancer so hard. She had 50+ rounds of chemotherapy and 2.5 years of suffering such a horrendous disease but yet she still managed to wear her bright pink lipstick every day and put on a smile throughout the pain as much as she could. Even in her last few months of her life (with barely any energy to leave bed) she asked me to help sell her artwork to raise money for others in need at St.John’s Hospice. That was the kind of woman my mum was. Always putting others before herself. 

Two years on, I still can’t believe she’s gone. But with your help I hope that together we can continue her incredible legacy of giving back and joyfully spread the world endlessly in bright colours and great acts of kindness. 

So, on the 21st May 2023 I will be running the Hackney half marathon in memory and celebration of my mum. In tribute of her strength and courage. And also in hope that with your help we can raise money together again for St. John’s Hospice to make sure that others will also get the greatest care and vital support when they need it most.

St. John’s Hospice provided such outstanding high quality medical care for my mum right up until her last breath and they made it possible for her wish to die in the comforts of her own home happen, which my family and I will be forever grateful for. I aim to raise £1,000 and with your kind donations, however big or small, pounds or pennies, it will be so greatly appreciated. It can truly help make such a positive difference for those in need. Once you donate, my JustGiving page will send your money directly to the charity.

Here’s a few examples of how your support could help someone in need at St.John’s Hospice: 

- £25 could fund a bereavement counselling session for a patient's loved one, providing them with much needed support at the toughest time. (I was personally so grateful to receive this help when mum passed away – having someone professional to talk to who understood grief and all it entails helped me get back on my feet in ways I thought unimaginable at the time.) 

- £50 could fund a group art therapy session in our Day Care Unit, enabling our patients to learn new skills, express themselves and above all else, relax and have fun with one another.  

- £250 could fund a day of expert nursing care from a Healthcare Assistant in our Inpatient Unit. 

- £500 could fund 24-hour at home nursing care for a patient who wants to remain in familiar and comforting surroundings in the later stages of their illness. 

And lastly, “Why running?” I hear you ask...

Well, during my mum’s battle with cancer (and even now whilst processing my grief since she passed) I discovered how much running was one of the incredible outlets for me to get through it all, along with the loving support of my dear friends and family members of course. But who helped me initially get into running? Funnily enough, my mum. Despite us both not being the sportiest of people in the family, she knew how much her illness was affecting me emotionally at the time and she told me to perhaps take up exercise. She introduced me to the ‘Couch to 5k’ app she’d heard good things about through friends during lockdown. She even made a joke out of it every time she could sense worry in my face after her chemotherapy sessions saying: “Lucie - why don’t you run your ‘Couch to 5k’ whilst I rest from ‘Couch to Couch’ and we can touch base after.” I remember her watching me set off each time from the window of her bedroom. It became like a little ritual of ours. 

Running ended up giving me mental clarity, it allowed me to channel my emotions into good purpose and not only show up better for myself but thus take better care for my mum at the time she needed it most. And now even though she is no longer physically with us, running continues to keep me going and moving forward as I literally put one leg in front of the other when I thought life would be at a standstill after she left us. I’ve also met some incredibly inspiring people through running – some who have also lost their parents or loved ones too and we’ve all formed such an amazing community which I cherish deeply. 

Now, despite my mum not physically being here anymore, I do still feel her near on each of my runs. I’ve laughed, I’ve cried, I’ve almost hit lamp-posts whilst training and remembering all of our ups and downs together. And I know she’ll still be with us all in spirit come the Hackney Half Marathon on May 21^st - cheering everyone on from her bright pink cloud up in the Heavens (and best believe I’ll be wearing my brightest colours on the day for her as well!)

With love and gratitude always, 

Lucie (and my heavenly rainbow of a mother, Carole.)