This September I’m running the Great North Run in memory of my mum, Helen Foster, and to raise vital funds for St Cuthbert’s Hospice, Durham.

In more recent years, my Mum found her love for running and was an active member of several running groups in Weardale. She signed up to run the GNR in 2020 but when Covid-19 caused the race to be cancelled, her place was rescheduled to this year. Unfortunately, it was during this time that she was diagnosed with stage 3 gastric cancer in September which was then confirmed to be stage 4 by January. Before she passed in June, we discussed that I should take her place and run in the place that was originally hers.

My mum spent a month with St Cuthbert’s and passed away peacefully after being looked at by the nurses, doctors and the rest of the team. Myself and the rest of my family are so grateful for helping my mum to feel comfortable, relaxed and special even until the very end. The nurses in particular did a great job in pampering my mum and providing everything she needed and more.

Like many, St Cuthbert’s Hospice has been badly affected by COVID-19 and has been unable to carry out crucial fundraising events and really need all the support and generosity of the public to provide specialist care to people with life-limiting illnesses, people approaching the end of life and the bereaved. They make no charge for their services, ensuring Hospice care is available to everyone. It costs over £2 million each year to keep St Cuthbert’s Hospice running

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity. So it’s the most efficient way to donate – saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

Please click here to visit the JustGiving page.

Thank you hugely for reading our story.

Elliot 🌹