What I didn't know about hospices before caring for my mum was that they provide so much more than end of life care.

My mum had a glioblastoma. A grade 4 brain tumour with a terminal prognosis but it was treated to prolong her life. During her treatment she attended the gym at Farleigh and worked with a wonderful physio to keep her active and mobile. This enhanced her quality of life in her last year and enabled her to have some joyful experiences.

We were supported by occupational therapists who worked with us to make sure mum could move safely in the home and provided solutions to her coordination and mobility challenges as they arose.

As mum's condition deteriorated, we were supported by the community team. Every HCA that helped us was a true professional and treated mum with kindness whilst preserving her dignity.

Mum was later admitted to the in patient unit at Farleigh and we spent the last week of her life there. I slept in her room every night and was overwhelmed by how welcome I was made to feel. The nurses, HCAs and doctors were the most incredible group of people I have ever come across.

They went above and beyond to make mum comfortable in her last days and relieved me of my caring responsibilities, enabling me to spend her last week with her as her daughter. It's a gift that no amount of miles I run or no amount of money I raise will adequately reciprocate but this is a small way of expressing my gratitude for what Farleigh did for my family.