On the 22 April 2018 I will be taking part in the London Marathon as a member of a team raising money for Katharine House Hospice in Stafford. I am lucky and privileged to have got a place to run in this iconic event but the most significant thing about taking part in this challenge is that I will be a member of a team that are raising money to support exceptional people doing a job which makes a huge difference to individuals and families in the Stafford and surrounding area. I want to raise money to support Katharine House in memory of my Dad Alistair 'Charles' Rawlings who sadly passed away in September 2016. 

My Dad was firstly diagnosed with Bowel cancer in 2012 and after it being under control he was given a further diagnosis of terminal Bowel cancer with metastasis in September 2015. Following a perforated Bowel and an emergency operation in May 2016 he was then referred to Katharine House Hospice, who he was told could provide support during his illness. My Dad came home following his operation in the June and a nurse from the hospice visited him to explain the services the hospice provides. My Dad was reluctant for a nurse from the hospice visiting him and I recall feeling sad that he was now involved with a hospice and on another journey, which I assumed was one of end of life care. My Dad and my family soon learnt that Katharine House Hospice was not just about end of life care. After my Dad met with a nurse from the hospice he felt positive and supported and agreed to attend day therapy once a week. He was picked up and taken home by the hospice's transport, which made him feel less reliant on my Mum and he told us that he enjoyed attending day therapy sessions.  He didn't tell me much but I knew it was where he met other patients he felt he could talk openly and honestly to and where he could also gain advice and assistance from Doctors and nurses. In July my Dad's health deteriorated and he was unable to attend day therapy. Doctors and nurses from his surgery and Macmillan visited him at home and there was no progression in managing his pain and improving his quality of life. This was a hard time, he did not show me the depth of his sadness and despair but I can only imagine he was scared and frightened. After weeks in bed he wanted to return to day therapy, despite struggling to move he walked down the stairs for the first time in over two weeks and went to his session.  As soon as he arrived at the hospice his pain and discomfort was obvious and he was seen by a Doctor.  There was a huge sense of  relief that progress was now being made. He was NOT admitted for end of life care, he was admitted to improve his quality of life, manage his pain and to get him on the pathway for further treatment in an attempt to reduce the size of a tumour in his spine. My Dad stayed at Katharine House Hospice for over two weeks. He found it to be a haven of peace, care and warmth. I found it to be inviting with thoughtful staff who are not only concerned about the patients they care for but the families and friends that visit. My Dad was served fresh meals with a beer if he fancied it. He got used to a tot of whiskey at night and it was apparent that patients would be allowed the odd treat if it was suitable. He shared a room with two other patients who were also receiving respite care and the atmosphere was friendly with biscuits, sweets and pocket money for my children shared. It was humbling to be in the company of kind generous people when they were seriously ill with various life limiting conditions. It was a retreat for my Dad when he attended day therapy and when he stayed at the hospice, as I am sure it is for many patients. My Dad was checked on and assisted throughout the day and nothing was too much trouble for the staff. I visited daily at any time that I wanted, I took my young children, who did not tell me that it was sad or scary. In our circumstances Katharine House was a place of positivity and somewhere less intimidating for a child to visit compared to a ward in a hospital. In the two weeks that my Dad was in the care of the Doctors and nurses at Katharine House they worked hard in supporting him and giving him hope that he was receiving the right care. He was given a date to start radiotherapy, had specialised equipment delivered to his home and was given time and attention from gentle staff that I am sure helped his fear and loneliness.  My Dad sadly had an infection over the August bank holiday and never started his radiotherapy treatment on the following Tuesday as he had been admitted to Stafford hospital due to his deterioration.  After my Dad had been in Stafford Hospital for 7 days he knew that he was not getting better and only wanted to return to Katharine House, I think that in itself says so much. Sadly there was no bed availability and he died 9 days after he was admitted to Stafford Hospital. He was given care and compassion but on a shared ward with limited privacy.  Unfortunately our NHS can't provide the attention patients and families sometimes need during the final stages of a difficult time. Katharine House is a very special place and vital to help families in my local community. It is not somewhere that only provides end of life care but somewhere that provides advice and support to patients and families and bereavement services following the loss of a family member. 

My dad's stay of two weeks during a very dark year was probably his happiest two weeks of that year. His mood and outlook was the best it had been and this was down to the ethos of this special place and the support of an exceptional team. I am running this marathon in my Dad' s memory who I know would have no hesitation in giving me the whole target I want to raise. I will be running inspired by an inspirational team who as a family we believe made two weeks of a very hard year my Dad's best two weeks. 

Thank you to all the nursing staff at Katharine House Hospice and for all your donations, however great or small it will contribute to give someone the indulgence of a glass of beer to receiving exceptional care xxxx