From the Heart: A race for Mum & Hospice

From Will, Jess and Ellie

Eight years ago, my dad suddenly died from cancer, three weeks after being diagnosed. This suddenly left my mum a single parent with no plan in place, having to fend for my sister and I, who were children at the time, as well as battling her own immense grief.

Over Christmas, my mum was suddenly diagnosed with breast cancer, at the same age my dad was diagnosed. This has deeply affected our family in many ways. Being a grieving single mum has been incredibly difficult, and she hasn’t been able to experience the things she’s wanted to, out of both pain of doing things alone, and money constraints. This year was the first time our mum was ready to try and start a new path, when suddenly she was diagnosed. The mental toll this has taken on her, and our family, has been immense.

I want to change my mum’s path. In the summer of 2025, I will be running a half marathon to raise funds for two causes. Three-quarters of the funds will go toward fulfilling my mum’s dream of traveling to Malawi, Africa to help her friend’s charity Inspire Malawi who help provide safe and inspiring learning environments for all. Mum had planned to go this April, but now with her diagnosis, this will be impossible. Mum wanting to travel out there shows the kind of person she is, always wanting to help others despite her own difficulties, despite her supporting many people already.

I would like to help her pursue this dream of going, and surprise her with as close to the target goal as possible.

The other quarter will be donated to St. Francis Hospice, the place where my dad passed away and where my family received incredible support during our hardest times.

I know this GoFundMe may not be a 100% charitable-focused campaign, but my family and mum especially has supported the hospice previously by donating, and I would love to give back to her to do something and bring her smile back.

Any donation, big or small, would mean a lot. Thank you.