Three week after our wedding in March when this picture was taken my lovely Mum died, just ten weeks after being diagnosed with widespread cancer. It was devastating.

We were told right from the start that she would not recover and with her usual determination Mum decided to just "get on with it" and with the help of friends and family we decided to make the very best of the time we had. "The show must go on" as did our wedding!

All who met Mum pulled out all the stops to give her the best care possible and this was something we absolutely knew. We are very grateful for her GP at St Chads surgery and the staff at the RUH..

We are most grateful to Dorothy House. Mum had expressed a wish to die in the hospice right from the start. She spent the last 3 weeks of her life in Dorothy House where she was able to put all her trust in those who cared for her. I can't tell you what this means, suddenly you know "everything will be ok." Everyone was rooting for her, her needs were anticipated and care was given with great expertise and kindness..

Contary to popular belief the hospice is not a place of great sadness. In the midst of what feels like a nightmare it is a refuge; a place of calm and peace. It recognises that people are facing one of their toughest challenges and allows them to do so with dignity. It allowed us to enjoy our last days together as a family without fear. Two days before Mum died she and Dad were able to celebrate their Ruby wedding anniversary. There was nothing they didn't think of. They even had a playroom for the grandchildren, a cot for Elsie and a hot meal for Dad should he need it.  

 I can't tell you what a difference this makes. I do not know what we would have done without them. We are so very grateful for their continued support.

As a tribute to my Mum I am running the Bristol 1/2 Marathon as part of a team of our friends and family to raise money for the hospice in her memory in the hope that other people can receive the care and attention my Mum was lucky enough to have. The hospice is reliant on donations, the in patient unit costs £7000 a day to run and recieves only 30% from the NHS.

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