Walking in memory of Mum

Hayden, 25, and his partner Tia, 20, from Worthing, have signed up to walk 20km in Sunrise to Remember. They are raising funds for us – the hospice that cared for Hayden’s Mum, Emma, who passed away 10 years ago, aged 42.

Taking place on 25 June 2022, Sunrise to Remember is a new sponsored walk from St Barnabas House and is open to people of all ages. Participants will set off from Worthing Leisure Centre at 4.15am and walk from darkness into the sunrise on a 10 or 20km route through the tree-lined paths of Worthing, across fields, down rivers and along the beautiful coastline.

For some participants, like Hayden, Sunrise to Remember will be an emotional, as well as a physical challenge.

“My mum was a very, very funny lady,” says Hayden. “And one of the most kind-hearted people I’ve ever known. She was so family orientated; she would do anything for any of us. I have two children – Ivy who is three months and Luna, who is almost six. Meaning, my Mum now has six grandchildren, and I know how happy that would make her.”

Hayden was just 15 years old when he lost his mum to cancer in 2012, and to mark the 10-yearanniversary of her death, Hayden has signed up to the Sunrise to Remember challenge in her memory. “I wanted to sign up to the walk to say thank you to St Barnabas,” says Hayden. “When Mum went into the hospice, I didn’t really have a full understanding of what was going on, or what a hospice was because I was young. But now, looking back, I have a full understanding and I am so appreciative of everything they did for us.”

Emma spent her final few days at St Barnabas House. “Mum was in the best place she could’ve been when she died. Being at the hospice gave us a lot more time to spend with her,” says Hayden. “Nothing was ever rushed at the hospice, we always had as much time with mum as we needed, and afterwards, they gave us time with her to grieve.”

Speaking about what his mum would have thought about him taking on Sunrise to Remember, Hayden says, “Mum would have laughed! I’m not the most athletic person, so I know she would find it funny. But she would have loved it too, knowing that I’m doing something to help and give back to the hospice would have meant the world to her.”

We’d like to say thank you to our event sponsor, Rug Doctor.