Ride for Rowcroft | Father and Daughter

MY DAD AND I ARE DOING RIDE FOR ROWCROFT. We will be cycling 32km to Haytor from Newton Abbot on October 13th 2019.

This is why:

In October 2018, I had the privilege of filming the Ride for Rowcroft event (link below). I was inspired, emotional and positively effected by watching this event, that I vowed to myself i'd take part next year. The day after Ride for Rowcroft, my Grandpa, (Dad's Dad) passed away at home surrounded by family after being cared for so well by Rowcroft nurses at home. This ordeal solidified my decision to sign up this year.

In November, my Grandad (Mum's Dad) passed away. He was struggling to live alone in Kingsbridge after being diagnosed with Oesophageal Cancer in August 2018. His quick decline led him to be transferred to a care home in Torquay where he was cared for by the staff and also Rowcroft nurses. It was all too familiar... and way too soon.



In December, two days before my Grandads funeral, I had the opportunity to volunteer myself to film the wedding of Helen and Paul (link below). Paul was a resident in Rowcroft, and although I had never met the couple until a few of days before their wedding, I felt like I had been accepted with open arms to share their special day. After the ceremony, I was invited to stick around and enjoy a glass of fizz to celebrate with the family. Like my Grandad, Paul had Oesophageal Cancer. Yet again, the familiarity stuck with me, it was emotional, but I was so proud to be doing it. Although signs were stable, and he was intended to spend Christmas at home, Paul passed away just 7 days later, 1 day before I had finalised the video.

Fast-forward to May, two months ago, and I woke up to the news that my Grandma (Dad's Mum) had passed away whilst on holiday in Greece with my Auntie and Cousin in a freak turn of events. This was the most shocking, as the family were unprepared. My Dad and I are also doing this for her.



For my friends who live locally, an explanation is not needed to show why this charity needs our donations. They are incredible. Having worked with the office staff on various media events, I am in awe of their work ethic. This charity is more than their job, it's like their family, and over the passed few months, I can see why. Having witnessed the efforts of the nurses, their can-do attitude and ability to empathise is beyond comprehension, I will always be in awe.

I had made my decision to take part in Ride for Rowcroft before I knew about how the following 7 months were going to unfold. This charity means more to me now than it did then, and I'm so appreciative that my Dad has decided to join me.

I want to thank Lara at Rowcroft for giving me the opportunity to build an incredible relationship with this charity. I want to thank YOU in advance for supporting me. I'm doing this ride for all 4 of my Grandparents, Molly & Gerald Lonsdale and Jacqueline & Ken Lymn. I'm doing this ride for my extended family, my aunties, uncles, cousins, brothers and parents, to show how much I appreciate their love and support. I'm also doing it in memory of Paul Moorhouse and to support his wife, Helen.

I will be forcefully encouraging my Dad to begin training imminently, and photo evidence of me beating him up the hills will be provided!



RIDE FOR ROWCROFT 2018: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PUoMFzHiVHQ&t=6s
PAUL AND HELEN MOORHOUSE: https://www.facebook.com/RowcroftHospice/videos/2159784207674472/