24 Hour Walk: Just walking into Tomorrow

Tara Amos is organizing this fundraiser to benefit Sue Ryder.

This all started with a group of pals, wanting to go to Ibiza.

Ibiza was cancelled due to COVID, so we thought we better do something beneficial with our time off work. Rather than rolling around the west end, attempting to drink cocktails with Z listers (or there abouts), we decided to keep fit, lose some extra pounds from iso-eating and stimulate our minds.

We decided on a 24 hour walk for charity. (Instant regret at the decision!) A chance to physically and mentally challenge ourselves. The Sunset and Sunrise will undoubtedly be worse than Ibiza, but it will do.

So once that was set in stone, the charity was the next decision. Out of all the wonderful charities, and the interests of the four of us, it was hard to decide which would be the best. We wanted something local - a charity close to our hearts, and a charity that we know would benefit from our given funds.

Sue Ryder, Leckhampton Court Hospice was the most popular choice. Due to us having loved ones we knew having used their services in the past. Sophie’s Nan; Jill and our forever friend; Tash’s Mum, Jen. So, we all agreed.

Here comes the sob story…

Let’s start with Jen. A true legend and the lady that let all 4 of us stay over, screaming until 3am, leaving marmite and spilt cups of tea all over her kitchen floor. She always knew how to throw a party. Even through Jen’s illness, she was able to take the mick out of herself (and us!), still make Tash’s fancy dress outfits and decorate the house to suit our needs. Her cooking skills were second to none and she would never be shy on her opinions of our outfits before a nappy night!

Our memories of Jen are very fond, and we had some of the best times in our youth, at her house with Tash.

When Jen was diagnosed, she needed some extra independence and was then looked after by the Sue Ryder, Leckhampton Court Hospicewho did a tremendous job, hence the need to raise money for them! Before Tash told us about her Mum, we all had no idea what ‘palliative’ care meant, let alone where our nearest Hospice was.

She started at the day hospice and visited once a week, trying new things, meeting new people and ate lots of free biscuits! Those days, gave Jen a chance to reclaim some of the independence she had lost and made her world a little brighter.

Sadly, as time went on, Jen’s health deteriorated and she needed to go into the Hospice full time. Tash told us how incredible the staff were, supporting the family through an incredibly difficult time. At every step, they made sure Jen was treated with the kindness and respect that she deserved.

*Cue a more recent story of sadness

Sophie also had a more recent experience with Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice, when her Nan, Jill, was looked after by Sue Ryder at her home, after she was given a very sudden, unexpected terminal Diagnosis in January 2021. She rapidly deteriorated, and Sophie’s family lost her at the beginning of March - just two months later.

In the weeks before they lost her, the family were given some much needed support from the staff, who showed them, and most importantly their Nan, the kindness and compassion she deserved. The staff ensured Jill was comfortable as could be and presented her as she would herself up until her final weeks.

Their support also allowed Jill’s husband (Sophie’s Gramp) to have some much needed moments of respite, which were so desperately needed at such an awful time.

Sophie said she knows how much her Nan appreciated their care and always felt reassured when they were around and that, as a family, they are forever indebted to the team at Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice. A time they will never forget.

*Back to the Walk…

Raising Money for end of life care, will never be as ‘sexy’ as the four of us in bikini’s in Ibiza, but the care and support that Sue Ryder gave to Jen, and her daughter (our friend), Tash, Nanna Jill and Sophie’s family means the world to us. And hey, what’s one day out of our lives?

So, if you could donate a pound, or a penny, towards our local hospice, that I’m sure has touched many people’s hearts around Gloucester we will forever be grateful. Not only that, but we need every man and his dog to help us get through 24 hours in each other’s company, riddled with fatigue and blisters on our toes! (Motivational Quotes/Sarcastic Meme’s welcome!)

Tara, Amber, Sally & Sophie x