As many may know, I lost my wife Eileen to cancer after a year-long struggle. Towards the end, Eileen spent 6 weeks being lovingly cared for at St Michael’s Hospice. The level of both physical care and support for her general wellbeing that was provided to her during the most difficult chapter of her life was just unbelievable.

The care doesn’t end with Eileen, we as a family have access to support as we come to terms with our loss. I’ve registered to join the 20km Wye Valley Trek through Herefordshire, on September 22nd, leaving Hereford by coach for the start at Brockhampton at 10.30h.. I guess, at my leisurely pace, it will take about 5 hours.

I pledge to at least double the total of sponsorship paid into Just Giving on September 21st.

The Hospice multi-disciplinary team includes doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, complementary therapists, social workers, chaplains and counsellors. The specialist staff and hundreds of volunteers work together and often in partnership with the NHS and nursing homes to relieve patients’ symptoms, control their pain and help them to live well, sometimes at home, until the end of life. It is absolutely vital that everyone who needs the appropriate care and support, receives it to cope with the complex and debilitating feelings and lifestyle changes caused by a terminal illness.