Walking through the night in memory of Mum

Published on: 21/06/2021

Siblings, 21-year-old Lauryn and 24-year-old James, from Worthing, have signed up to take part in Night to Remember to raise funds for St Barnabas House – the hospice that cared for their Mum, Tracy, who passed away at 54-years-old.

Walking through the night in memory of MumTaking place on Saturday 11 September 2021, Night to Remember participants will light up the streets of Worthing and walk through the night, reflecting the 24-hour nature of the care and support that St Barnabas House offers to patients and their families.

For some participants, like Lauryn and James, Night to Remember will be an emotional, as well as a physical, challenge.

“Mum was such a selfless and caring person,” says Lauryn. “She did a lot of charity work, loved animals, and adored her family. She always put others before herself.”

In 2019, Tracy was diagnosed with cancer, and in December 2020, she received the devastating news that it was terminal, “Mum was bed-ridden, and it was just me and James caring for her,” says Lauryn.Walking through the night in memory of Mum

In Tracy’s last few weeks, Lauryn and James wanted to spend as much time with her as possible. “Due to Covid-19, we decided we wanted to keep Mum at home so we could see her as much as possible. The St Barnabas ‘Hospice at Home’ team enabled us to do this and ensured that Mum was receiving the best level of care possible. They came into our home a few times a day to care for Mum, help her with her medicines, hygiene, and anything else she needed.”

Walking through the night in memory of Mum“St Barnabas House’s Hospice at Home made such a big difference to our last few weeks with Mum. It was such a scary time and the support the hospice gave to our family was incredible. They took the care to the next level, not only medically but emotionally. They were always there for us.”

At the beginning of 2021, Tracy sadly lost her battle with cancer and passed away in her home. “When we lost Mum, the care from St Barnabas House didn’t stop there. They kept in contact with us and were always on the other end of the phone. We got through the loss of Mum a lot better with their support than we would have without, and for that, we are forever grateful.Walking through the night in memory of Mum

“Everything we do from now on is to make my Mum proud, and that’s why we’re taking on Night to Remember, and every year from now on, in her memory,” says Lauryn.

You can sponsor Lauryn and James at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/tracyanncoe

Night to Remember is open to men, women, and children aged 10 and over. You can find out more or sign up at www.stbh.org.uk/night-to-remember