Hi! I'm Grace, and Janie (Lindsey) was my wonderful mum. Sadly she died in June 2023 from pancreatic cancer, here at home with us in Javea, Spain.

On 23rd May (her birthday) we're doing a sponsored climb of Puig Campana, one of the highest mountains in the area, to raise money for Cancer Care Javea.

Why Cancer Care?

When mum was diagnosed back in June 2022, it was absolutely terrifying. We were in a new-ish country, navigating a new healthcare system, and now facing a disease with all sorts of horrible new things you have to learn about it.

We were put in touch with Jayne, who at the time ran the nursing team at Cancer Care Javea. Instantly she put us at ease, answering questions we didn't know how to ask the Spanish doctor, or things we'd thought of after an appointment. She gave mum tips on drugs to combat the sickness (head sickness vs. tummy sickness vs. vertigo symptoms - Jayne knew which pill to take for which specific horrible thing mum was going through), she brought round a bag of wigs for mum to choose from when her hair fell out, she brought wedge pillows so mum was more comfy in her chair. She was full of kindness, cheerfulness, knowledge, love and understanding, and she made mum's last year with us all that more comfortable.

After mum died, Jayne counselled me and gave me some of the best wisdom I've ever been lucky enough to receive.

Although Jayne is no longer involved with the charity, the service continues its work supporting people with cancer in the local community, funded entirely through donations.

Why Puig Campana?

One day, while making the car journey down to Benidorm (the fancy private IMED hospital that we treated like a mini hotel break, and where I used to sneak in a John Smiths for her if she had to stay the night) for her weekly chemo, she looked at the mountain and said, "Do you know, I really fancy climbing that." And we agreed that when she was better, we'd do it.

We want to climb it for her, in her name, in the name of love and helping others and being useful. All things mum stood for, and is still teaching me.

It's no small feat... It's higher than Ben Nevis and will take about 6-7hours to climb and come back down.

So far, we have 7 intrepid climbers signed up!

And we'll be guided by the lovely Raul Pinto, who is also the boys' tennis coach and a big supporter of Cancer Care.

Thank you so much for your support!!

Grace, Wyatt, the boys and all of Janie's friends here xxxx

p.s. I hope the photo doesn't upset anyone; I chose it because it shows so well what Cancer Care does. I think Wyatt took this photo the day before she died. Mum got to stay at home, which she wanted, with her family and best friend Sue by her side. She was comfortable, happy and so, so loved.