Hi, my name is Shannon, I’m 27 years old, and I’m raising funds for St Joseph’s Hospice in Newham.

Towards the end of 2025, my life changed in a way I never could have prepared for. My dad, who is only 52 years old, was diagnosed with stage 4 terminal cancer, which started in his lungs and has since spread to his spine and muscles/nerves. Around the same time, we also tragically lost one of our aunties to cancer over Christmas, which has deeply impacted our entire family. Experiencing so much loss and uncertainty in such a short space of time has been incredibly heavy, and the thought of having to prepare to lose a parent at such a young age is something I genuinely can’t even put into words.

My dad is currently undergoing radiotherapy and has been advised to start chemotherapy to help manage the condition and prevent it from spreading any further. This news came as a complete shock to me and my younger siblings (aged 23 and 13). I live in the Middle East, and during this time my brother has been my dad’s biggest support system, stepping up in ways I will forever be grateful for.

St Joseph’s Hospice has truly been a godsend to our family. They have arranged everything from a hospital bed and medication to transport for appointments and they have taken my dad into the hospice where he is supported daily with pain management, personal care, and his overall wellbeing. Their priority is to keep him as comfortable, supported, and healthy as possible during a time when he is unable to do this for himself — and for that, I can never thank them enough.

St Joseph’s Hospice provides high-quality, specialist palliative care to people in the local community living with life-limiting illnesses. Their care is holistic, meaning they support not only the patient but also their loved ones. All of their services are provided free of charge, yet despite some government funding, the hospice relies heavily on donations and volunteers and must raise approximately £7 million every year to continue their incredible work.

To give something back, I have decided to take part in a charity skydive over the Palm Jumeirah in Dubai around May/June 2026, raising funds for St Joseph’s Hospice as a thank you for the thousands of patients and families they support and care for. Without their support, I honestly don’t know what we would have done.

Any donation, no matter how small — would mean the world to me and my family and truly makes a difference. Every single contribution is extremely appreciated.

I also understand that this is a very difficult time financially for many people. If you’re unable to donate, simply liking and sharing this post helps just as much. If you’re able to donate tinned food, clothing, books, or other essentials, these are also incredibly helpful in supporting patients’ everyday needs and activities.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart to everyone who takes the time to read, donate, or share. Your support means more than I can ever express.