Thank you in advance for your support of my Camino walk in September in aid of the Irish Hospice Foundation. The challenge for me is centered on support for the amazing work of the IHF, but also in memory of, and in honour, of my husband, Don. Don died in 2014 after a journey with cancer. In his last days, events overtook us more quickly than anticipated, as is often the case, and he did not make it to hospice care. We did have the support of the hospital palliative care team for some time prior to this, and from a physical and emotional perspective, they were central to Don’s care, and I know that the move to hospice care would have been a strong and powerful support for Don and for the entire family.

 “You matter because you are you, and you matter to the last moment of your life. We will do all we can not only to help you die peacefully, but also to live until you die.”

The quote from Dame Cicely Saunders, best known for her role in the birth of the hospice movement, expresses the aims of hospice care. It also, for me, expresses Don’s philosophy through his illness. He lived until he died, with a lot of laughter, grit, and always love.

So, with some grit, and hopefully, a lot of laughter, I will walk the 100k in September. I’m hoping to blog my progress, so will keep you all updated as I go. For now, it’s a step away from the Easter chocolate, and let training commence!!!