Three generations take on Fizz Run in memory of big-hearted breast cancer patient

Places on the Hospiscare Twilight Walk, taking place on 7 July, are going fast, so walkers – and runners – are advised to sign up soon. For the first time, this year’s event includes a 5k fun run as well as the now-traditional 5 or 10 mile walking routes, to cater for women and girls of all ages and levels of fitness.

Starting at the Maer in Exmouth, the event has a ‘Pink Fizz’ theme, so runners and walkers who agree that pink isn’t just a colour, it’s an attitude are encouraged to dress accordingly. The fizz – a drop or two of bubbly – will await them, along with a bacon bap and hot drink, on their return to the Maer.

Among the 700-plus who have already signed up are Chris Ratcliffe, her daughter Lizzie and 13-year-old granddaughter Lily. They are taking part in the fun run to raise funds in memory of Chris’s daughter-in-law, Cindy, who died in the care of Hospiscare last October. Also taking part are Cindy’s sister and her best friend, Tara and Kirsten, who will be walking in her memory. Chris explained her motivation for doing the 5k run:

“Cindy was an amazing person, a one-off. She was big hearted, always put other people first, and was so positive and encouraging to everyone. She used to say, ‘You can do anything you want to’. Each year I’d been promising myself that I would take up running, but never quite managing it. But this year I vowed I’d do it for Cindy, so I started training in January. Then, when Lizzie, Lily and I found out that Hospiscare were organising a 5k fun run alongside the Twilight Walk, we thought what better way to remember Cindy and support the charity that helped us all so much during her illness?”

Cindy was being treated for a recurrence of breast cancer when she and Chris’s son Martin married, in December 2016. However, that didn’t stop them planning their future together, and in June last year they moved into their longed-for dream home. Sadly, their happiness was short-lived as Cindy’s condition worsened. Initially, she was cared for at home by Hospiscare’s local community nurses, but her final few days were spent on the ward in the hospice in Exeter. Chris described the difference Hospiscare’s support had made:

“Once the community nurses became involved it took a lot of the worry out of things, not just for Cindy but for the rest of the family, too. Then, at the end, when she went into the Exeter hospice, the care she received was amazing, and we were completely comforted. Cindy was such a huge part of our family and it meant so much to know that she was getting the best care possible. And that’s why we’re doing the fun run – to make sure that other families can have the same care that was given to us.”

Twilight Walk places are still available and walkers and runners can sign up online at www.twilightwalk.org.uk or by calling 01392 688020.

Hospiscare provides outstanding specialist care for adults with terminal illnesses, and support for their carers and families in Exeter, Mid and East Devon.  A gift to Hospiscare in your Will helps to ensure the future of the charity for generations to come.