Running to remember their mum
Torquay’s Perry brothers – Josh (22), Jack (27), Jamie (20) and Thomas (25) – are taking on the Torbay Half Marathon on Sunday 20 September to raise vital funds for Rowcroft Hospice, running in memory of their mum, Andrea, who received the hospice’s specialist care in 2018.
Josh was just 14 when his mum was diagnosed with a Grade 4 glioblastoma. Less than a year later, she sadly died after receiving support from Rowcroft at home and in the hospice’s Inpatient Unit. Now, Josh and his brothers are running to give back to the hospice that supported their whole family through one of the most difficult times in their lives.
“Rowcroft was instrumental in Mum’s care and the support that my family received,” said Josh. “I got to spend ten amazing months with Mum, Dad and my brothers during that time, making memories that I will cherish for a lifetime – so every chance I get to do something to help the hospice, I will take with open arms.”
Support for the whole family
Reflecting on his family’s experience, Josh says the compassion shown by the Rowcroft team has stayed with him:
“Looking back, it was such a horrendous time for my family, but it was made that little bit easier by the incredible support from Rowcroft. I’m not sure words can ever describe the impact Rowcroft has had on my life – whether that was the doctors and nurses who would look after Mum day-in day-out, the cooks who cooked us extra food while we were there, the gardeners who made sure there was a space where we could play cricket in the grounds, or the doctor who took the time to come back to the hospice outside of his working hours to explain to a confused 14-year-old boy what was going on.
“There are so many people who deserve a thank you. The support of Rowcroft wasn’t just for Mum – it was for my whole family.”
A challenge with a meaningful purpose
When the training gets tough, Josh reminds himself why he’s running.
“Firstly, I know that what I’m doing doesn’t come anywhere near what Mum had to go through. She was so incredible in the fight she showed, to stay strong for me and my brothers until the end, so I think going for a run is a relatively small ask. Secondly, it’s for my brothers – being able to do this together and sharing memories of Mum along the way is really special. And finally, it’s for the staff at Rowcroft. Even eight years later, the impact they had on my family sits at the heart of so much of what I do.”
For Josh, running the Torbay Half Marathon is about honouring his mum’s memory while helping other families receive the same compassionate care.
“I know that I am in a better place because of Rowcroft and the support they gave me. I also know that hospice care costs money to deliver, so anything I can do to help give back, I will gladly do. As a community it’s our responsibility to ensure that Rowcroft can continue offering their life-changing support into the future.”
Helping secure the future of hospice care
Rowcroft Hospice Fundraiser Molly Billingsley said: “We’re so grateful to Josh and his brothers for taking on the Torbay Half Marathon in memory of their mum. Their story is a reminder of the impact compassionate hospice care can have on an entire family – something that often stays with people forever.
“We wish them the very best of luck with their incredible challenge, and we hope their story inspires others to support Rowcroft too. Although places for this year’s Torbay Half Marathon are now full, we’d love people to take a look at the many fundraising challenges and events we have coming up and join Team Rowcroft!”
Events such as the Torbay Half Marathon play a crucial role in helping to raise the funds needed to provide Rowcroft’s specialist end-of-life care, but the hospice continues to face significant financial pressures. According to Hospice UK (the national charity representing over 200 member hospices), six in ten hospices are making or considering cuts to frontline services.
With only around a quarter of Rowcroft’s funding coming from the NHS, the charity relies on the generosity of its local community to raise the millions of pounds needed each year to provide its specialist care that’s delivered free of charge to patients and their loved ones across South Devon.
For information about Rowcroft’s fundraising challenges and events, please go to: rowcrofthospice.org.uk