Gillian O'Gorman
Gilly's Dorney Triathlon page
Fundraising for SS John and Elizabeth Charity
Story
Many of you know that my wonderful sister, Fiona passed away last September from a very rare and aggressive bile duct cancer. In March 2021 Fiona was discharged from ICU and sent home on end of life care, we were expecting her to pass away within 2 to 3 weeks, surrounded by her family and dogs. It was into this world of grief and despair that the wonderful St John’s hospice entered our lives. Fiona, having not read the chapter on “end of life or palliative care” immediately asked our hospice nurse Karen for some Physio to help build up her strength! so set the trend for the following 7 months in which she showed depths of resilience that astounded the ever supportive hospice team and against the odds managed to survive to celebrate the birthdays of her adored children Poppy, Freddie and Millie.
Shortly after Fiona’s funeral my oldest friend Alison decided we should enter a triathlon to raise funds for the Hospice, she felt (quite rightly as it turns out) that the training would help me to cope with a world that is far less colourful and entertaining without my sister. I now find myself entered into a standard distance triathlon on 21st May, to my horror I will attempt a 1.5km open water swim, 40 km cycle and a 10k run! Fiona and her husband Tim were no strangers to triathlons and have completed several while I am the family baker supplying the recovery cupcakes! As many of you know my main source of exercise last year was running up and down Fiona’s 4 flights of stairs to serve tea to her enormous network of friends! I will need to summon up all Fiona’s determination and resilience to complete this challenge. Thankfully I will have company as Alison, her daughter(my goddaughter) Amelia and Amelia’s husband Matt will also be swimming, cycling and running alongside me and fundraising for the hospice.
Thank you so much for supporting me, Fiona’s memory, her family, and the incredible work of St John’s hospice.
I promise I will give this my best shot!
Gilly
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