Thank you so much for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

I am now well into my training for the Bupa Great Yorkshire Run on 5th September 2010, which is a 10 km race in Sheffield. 

I am running (much further than I have ever managed before!) to raise money for a wonderful charity - Lindsey Lodge Hospice.

Lindsey Lodge Hospice is an independent charity offering special care for people in the North Lincolnshire area with specific life-limiting conditions.

The hospice is an amazing place which provides its services to patients living with a life-limiting conditions, their families and loved ones free of charge. It costs over £3.50 every minute to run Lindsey Lodge and although it receives funding from the North Lincolnshire NHS Trust it also relies heavily on the support of the general public in order to carry out its good work.

My Mum, as many of you will already know, spent her last three weeks at Lindsey Lodge.  She and I were so grateful that she was able to have one of ten beds there at a time when there were few other care options available. I don't know what would have happened if Lindsey Lodge hadn't helped Mum.  The hospice not only provided her with wonderful 24/7 nursing care, but access to palliative care doctors, special equipment such as a pressure relieving mattress, offered specially made to order food and other special treatment.  I cannot stress enough how much difference this made to Mum's last few weeks. 

Whilst I am sad that Mum wasn't able to spend her last few weeks at home, I am pleased that she did have a private room at the hospice, which was sunny and light, surrounded by a few of her own things and decorated with the many cards and flowers that she received.  Mum also enjoyed chatting with the friendly staff, many of whom often popped in to see her when she wasn't sleeping or with visitors.

The hospice was also very understanding about the steady stream of visitors to and from Mum's room and didn't mind me being there so frequently, often staying longer than strictly permitted.  Mum was relaxed and much more comfortable at Lindsey Lodge, and this gave family and friends a chance to spend some quality time with her during those last few weeks and even have a few (occasionally inappropriately loud) laughs together! 

Mum said to me a few days after she had arrived at Lindsey Lodge (hoping that she would be returning home again after a rest) that, and I quote,  'I'm going to make them a good donation when I get out of here.'  Sadly things didn't turn out as we had hoped they might, but I am determined to do just that for the hospice on Mum's behalf..........

I will be grateful for whatever donation you are able to make, however small.  Every donation helps and collectively I know we will be able to give Lindsey Lodge the 'good donation' that Mum thought they deserved.

The 'big day' has now been and gone and I'm happy to say that I finished the race in 55 minutes and 43 seconds - a time I was quite happy with given the uphill slog so close to the finish line.  I can't thank you all enough for donating. I'm thrilled to have raised such a big total for the hospice.  I know that my Mum would have been so pleased.........

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 and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.