After battling breast and colon cancer over the past decade, Debi Hearn has signed up to take part in the Weston Hospicecare Midnight Beach Walk in memory of her mum.
Debi’s mum Eileen Hearn died at the hospice on 26 March this year aged 81 after battling idiopathic acute pulmonary hypertension.
Debi, aged 58, says the hospice provides a physical place where those with a terminal illness can share laughter.
She said: “Mum started at the hospice by going to the Wednesday day care some years ago as a frightened lady who did not know what to expect. Her initial meeting allayed those fears and she met people, who turned out to be real friends, she hadn’t seen for years.
“Everyone from nursing, volunteers, to the people on reception, was awesome and how they kept smiling is beyond me.
“When mum was told in hospital that she would need to go into residential care she was very upset but her illness progressed rather quickly and I will never forget the smile she had when she was told that she could go to the hospice instead of into care.
“The staff at the inpatient unit were just awesome. Always smiling, always human and above all truly caring.
“Without Weston Hospice people would suffer in silence and would not have the chance to be shown that hope and positivity can help in healing and feeling better. It’s our own little smile factory.
“I took part in the Midnight Beach Walk in 2009 after having a mastectomy in 2008 and breast reconstruction in 2009. Now after losing my mum as well as my friend’s dad and mum’s cousin in the last few months I just want to do something to say thank you to the hospice.”
The registration fee is £15 per adult and £10 per child to guarantee a place. Last year, 342 women completed the 5km Weston Hospicecare Midnight Beach walk while raising more than £26,500.
This year the walk will start and finish at the Tropicana on Weston seafront on Friday 7 September.
To join Debi, visit our registration page and sign up. For more information about the event please visit the dedicated Midnight Beach Walk page at westonhospicecare.org.uk/midnight/.