Charlotte Ryder

Walking to remember my Dad, Dave!

I am aiming to do the 11 mile walk for St Christopher's Hospice this year.

This is my third year doing the fun walk, each year I try and do a longer walk to challenge myself as it serves as a reminder of how far I have come since September 2022. I also need to push myself so that you might donate, because it's not very impressive to do the same wee walk every year.

Background:

During the Covid-19 pandemic, my Dad was losing weight and had a persistent cough. GP appointments took place over the phone, and he was diagnosed as having a recurring viral infection. Also, because we still use BMI measurements (which are rubbish!), my Dad kept saying he was overweight when my mum and I noticed he was becoming very skinny.

Ultimately, this ended up being diagnosed as lung cancer, initially treatable but then in August 2022, we were told it was terminal and he had only a month left. This was so traumatising and sad. For the next month, I visited him regularly but it was so heart breaking to see his health decline and eventually he passed away in September 2022. St Christopher's, amongst other organisations, were really supportive and helpful, enabling him to have end-of-life care at home and be treated well. They also supported my Mum and me through this time.

A week after he passed, I was hospitalised with extreme back pain, I had collapsed and couldn't walk. Some people say it was the traumatic experience manifesting itself in my body. I attended my Dad's funeral in a wheelchair. Since hitting that rock bottom, I have been working on my physical strength and have become much fitter and stronger. That is why I now am aiming to do the Fun Walk, doing the longest route (11 miles) for the first time. This is also the last time I plan on doing the Fun Walk, as I aim to do something even more challenging to remember my Dad and push myself further next year.

Please donate what you can to help support the hospice in providing end-of-life care to so many people, something which we don't like to think about but all deserve.

Thank you!!