Sue Ryder supports people through the most difficult times of their lives.  I was running the 2020 London Marathon to raise money for this amazing place.   Since the marathon has been cancelled I will now be wheeling my treadmill onto the drive and running a marathon.  

Recently our friends Ben and Sam were supported by Leckhampon Court following Ben being diagnosed with Bowel Cancer.  Please read Sam's words below about her inspirational husband and the incredible place that is Leckhampton Court Hospice. Then get out your card and give lots of money!!! 

On 16 July 2019 Ben died of bowel cancer, after living courageously and vibrantly with it since January. For the last 5 weeks of his life we were truly blessed to have been at Leckhampton Court Hospice. A magical and inspirational place, where Ben went to live; where we could be a family, laugh and have fun …. and so much fun was had! Those memories are priceless and we cannot thank all there enough for enabling us to have all that time together. 

Through his illness Ben taught me to accept those things we can’t control. To find the positive in any situation. I am in awe of his strength, courage and bravery. How even at the hardest time in his life he had the energy to always ask of others first and be polite to everyone. Ben is quite simply unique and to those closest to him a total hero, especially as he is the only man I know to wear flip flops and shorts in December.

So just as Ben has always done we want to continue to think of others and find the positive. When I spoke to Ben about fundraising he said 'babe lets go big or go home!'. So in true Sykes style we are working with family and friends to try and raise at least £17,000 if we can. This is roughly what it would have cost to provide our family with the exceptional specialist care and support during the final weeks of Ben's life. So in memory of Ben our aim is to ensure we can help another family to have the same time to create their own priceless memories.  

To make his wish a reality his family and friends will be taking on all sorts of challenges from walking to running to jumping. And to truly honour him I am sure there will also be lots of laughing, eating and drinking along the way...probably in flips flops and shorts! Help us in any way you can and you will have our eternal thanks. 

Anything that you donate to sponsor my London Marathon attempt will be added to the overall target of 17 000. Sue Ryder is such an important part of our community and I feel honoured to be running for them in memory of such an amazing person. In reality the service that is offered by Leckhampton Court could not be offered without donations.

 To put into perspective how valuable your donations are, here's some running costs for the hospice. Please use these as your motives behind a donation as every penny really does count.
- £19 pays for one hour hospice care
- £60 pays for one session of bereavement counciling
- £140 pays for the cost of a nurse for a day
- £150 pays for a working bag with all the kit in for a Hospice at home nurse
- £500 pays for a bed for a day of inpatient care

So dig deep and thank you so much for your support.

Mr Hawley