Story
Here is a passage from my eulogy to my late wife Jackie....
“In late January we travelled to Iceland It was mine and Jackie’s nr 1 entry on our retirement bucket list for some time after her diagnosis it seemed as if we would have to cancel She was unable to walk more than a few steps with a stick, she was in great pain and had undertaken emergency radiotherapy on her spine to ease the immense pain she was feeling But she was determined to go, often understating the pain so the doctors would permit it When we arrived in Iceland her face lit up when she saw the snow and the mountains Driving us up to the Old Geyser I didn’t see a huge speed bump and hit it at considerable speed, so much so that all 4 wheels left the road. Jackie screamed with pain (and at me), I had to put quite a few 50p’s in the sorry jar as a result I can tell you It took almost an hour for her to walk the 400 yards or so from the car to the geyser, it would have been so easy for her to admit defeat She sat on a bench and flashed that wonderful smile, she had achieved her goal. In the end I think she did it for me more than herself and that says it all On our last day in Iceland we visited the Blue Lagoon Jackie hated water and wasn’t a swimmer. Again it would have been so easy for her not to go. Another crucifying 400 yard walk to the entrance and I could see the tears in her eyes but she would not turn round. I was so proud of her when she stood at the bottom of the steps in the lagoon and I took the photo that you may have seen on the screen just now. She looked so beautiful and again that lovely, lovely smile. So, before she passed we ticked off ournumber 1 item on our bucket list thanks to her She showed strength and courage throughout that made me feel humbled and that was the woman I married all of those years ago. And now its time for us to send her on the next leg of her journey”
Jackie passed away aged 62 from lung cancer 90 days after diagnosis and 7 weeks after the photo above was taken on our trip together to Iceland.
I now have the opportunity to support Mike, Jules and LHS to save lives. Being a North Walian Jackie appreciated Mikes stories of Glan Clwyd Hospital, walking on Snowdon Rocks and the great night at Rhuddlan Rocks and was always happy to commit funds to LHS.
I dedicate this trek to her memory and the tenacity she showed on our last trip together. I hope she is watching and pleased. If I don’t get fit I may see her sooner than I think 😀
Please help me to support LHS and create survivors.
Love Hope Strength (LHS) was founded in the USA and UK over a decade ago by internationally acclaimed musician Mike Peters and his wife Jules Peters after Mike was diagnosed with cancer for a second time.
LHS is committed to giving hope to people living with cancer across the globe. Through its ‘Get On The List’ programme, LHS helps identify blood stem cell donors to match with people living with blood cancer or blood disorders who need a second chance at life. Incredibly, LHS has already delivered over 200,000 people to international blood stem cell donor lists. This has resulted in over 4,000 potentially life saving matches being found (as of January 2019). LHS has raised over £1m globally to help support some of the most vulnerable people affected by cancer. LHS supports life saving and life changing equipment and special projects across the globe; it’s equipped hospitals and community cancer services with new facilities and equipment in parts of the USA, UK, Africa and Asia.
LHS harnesses the support of people in the music and events industries, those who are passionate about music and people that enjoy the outdoors and value the importance of wellbeing to help achieve its mission: to save and change lives, one concert, one step, one helping hand at a time. Led by volunteers and supported through partnerships with leading international organisations, LHS aims to: provide its supporters with value for money and opportunities to have fun whilst giving back, and to provide those it serves with a lifeline.