Annie Avison was an artist, in training to pursue a career in art psychotherapy. Her twin gifts of huge creativity and unlimited care for others meant she was perfect for a career helping people to express themselves and to work through the challenges they face. So well-equipped was she for this path, she applied it vigorously in her approach to herself; a diagnosis of advanced bowel cancer when she was just 25 was a giant shock but within moments of the news being dealt to her, she was calling cancer ‘annoying’ and thinking more about those around her as well as how she was going to deal with it. She was much more than a courageous, inspiring, kick-ass cancer sufferer but the way she rose up to face her illness exemplified how she had been throughout her life; unafraid, wise, practical, irreverent, focused, full of fun, light and love. To her family and her friends, Annie was their ‘favourite human’ – we have learned since we lost Annie how much she meant to such a broad range of people – all of us a best friend to her. We miss her terribly. She died a few days before her 27th birthday in late September 2023, her Mum and Dad by her side.

In setting up this fundraising page, we wanted to thank the team at Sue Ryder whose palliative care specialists cared for Annie not only at the very end of her life, but in the months before when she needed their experience, their skills and their care. Of all the many professionals that Annie encountered, Sue Ryder gave her perhaps the most help, when she most needed it. Above all, they listened to her, and heard her. For that, we are forever grateful. Thank you to the many brilliant, generous people who have already donated to Annie’s fund for Sue Ryder. In donating now, you are helping to support Sue Ryder’s teams across the country help patients and families cope with pain, with confusion and fear. Palliative medicine isn’t only about the end of life, it’s about caring for people and helping them live their lives when time is limited, perhaps months or even years before. Dealing with pain can help make life, however long or short, worth living. Annie’s life was made better by their help. Thank you for helping, through your generous donations, to help others. Much love to you all, Jo and James – Annie’s Mum & Dad XX