20 November 2016: It's a bit difficult to put it into words what the Arthur Rank Hospice means to me. I’m someone whose stock trade is words, yet it’s taken me three weeks since I got my London Marathon place to write this.

Maybe it’s because it’s this time two years ago we were going through this awful time together, so it’s hard enough as it is at the moment. Maybe it’s just always going to be hard.

But the hospice is where Mum spent her final few days. We were still reeling after spending three weeks on the cancer ward (after having skipped out of there back in April, thinking everything might just be OK).

If you haven’t visited a cancer ward, think: bright lights, continuous beeping of IV drips, thin blue curtains separating you from the patients around you who are all in their own private circle of hell. I wonder how they are now?

Each time I came to visit, I didn’t want to go in; but I didn’t want to leave either. I mean, how could I?

In early December, she was moved to the hospice. Such a scary word, yet such a calm, gentle place. They made me a cup of tea; I’ve never cried when someone’s offered me a cup of tea before. To know that Mum was being cared for in her final days by a small group of people who – in the limited amount of time they had – got to know her and her needs, as well as being so kind to my brother and me and our close family members, means an enormous amount.

I’ve been thinking for a long time that I should attempt the London Marathon. I only want to do it once, and I’d like to raise money for the Arthur Rank Hospice Charity to say, simply, thank you. 

Please support me and help other families receive the same love and
kindness that we were lucky enough to be given during such a difficult time.

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About the charity: Arthur Rank Hospice is dedicated to providing specialist palliative care and support to adult patients and their family, friends and carers. All care is provided free of charge, and is offered to people living throughout much of Cambridgeshire.

About JustGiving: Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.