When we discovered my auntie Sylvia had a secondary brain tumour in A&E on New Year’s Day 2019, we couldn’t have imagined what the year had in store for us. We didn’t even know she was sick. Every families worst nightmare quickly became our reality.

Alongside her clinical care, the North London Hospice were there. Supporting her as she received a terminal diagnosis, and us as a family too. The amazing nurses who visited her at home put us all at ease, we even had a laugh together even though times were tough, my auntie kept her sense of humour despite her suffering.

When Sylvia was too poorly to continue treatment and still living at home, things were really hard for her. Even with the support she had, her quality of life was no where near where it was. My once independent auntie had become reliant on others for her every need, and it was a really bleak time for us all, not knowing how best to help her or where to turn.

That’s when the North London Hospice really stepped up. They helped support Sylvia in her final weeks, and there were there for us too  

The team at the hospice gave Sylvia the best care we could have hoped for; they made a difficult time a little bit easier. They were so attentive and caring, from the volunteers to the doctors, looking after her every need. The fantastic care they provided meant that as a family, we could focus on being there for Sylvia in her final weeks, sharing memories and trying to keep her spirits up, while they strove to make her time as comfortable as possible. 

The hospice was a home from home for us, and I always felt welcome, even with the girls. There was always time for the staff to talk to us, to get to know us as a family, and none of that would be possible without your donations. 

Sylvia passed away on 30 December 2019, aged just 58. I’m truly grateful for the care Sylvia received, and I want to make sure the North London Hospice can continue to provide this service for the community.

Running the London Marathon has been a life-long ambition of mine, but I was never meant to get a ballot place. Running for cause close to my heart really keeps me going. While I’m running at the crack of dawn, or when the kids are in bed, at lunchtime, whenever I can, I think of my auntie and all she did for me my whole life. She would have thought I was bonkers, recommending I rest was something she always said to me, while filling me up with the most amazing food of course. I miss her every day.

And when I'm running on the big day, I’ll be thinking of each and everyone of you, helping to support more families like mine through their darkest days.

Thank you, big love x

£10 Could pay for the cost of a nurse to visit a patient in their own home

£20 Could fund a person’s care at the Hospice for one hour, ensuring they can give them specialist and compassionate support

£50 Could help the Out of Hours Service to urgently care for a patient in the middle of the night

£125 Could fund a specialist nurse for a whole day, enabling exceptional care at the end of person's life at the Inpatient Unit