Walking in memory of mum on her 10th anniversary

Night to Remember is our biggest fundraising event of the year, taking place on 24 June 2023. There are three different routes – 10, 20 and 25km – through Worthing, Ferring and Goring-by-Sea. Everyone taking part will enjoy the same sense of camaraderie, celebration, and achievement.

Tracy Sayers will be tackling the 25km route this year in honour of her mum Jo, who was cared for at St Barnabas House. Here, Tracy tells her story:

“My lovely mum, Jo, had battled cancer for several years, always managing to overcome it. Unfortunately, she was unable to beat her pancreatic cancer. During her last few months, she spent some respite days at St Barnabas where she enjoyed massages, activities and being with other patients who were on the same journey.

All this was funded by St Barnabas and we were so grateful that mum was able to enjoy these sessions. It also gave her husband a chance to have some time for himself, away from his caring responsibilities.

My mum passed away in November 2013 and she spent her final two weeks at St Barnabas. We couldn’t have asked for a more caring, supportive, and calming environment for Mum in her last days. It was reassuring for us, her family, at a time when we were going through our own immense grief, knowing that she was a in a place of love and compassion and surrounded by a medical team 24/7.

I have always supported St Barnabas by donating every year, but this year, in the 10th anniversary of Mum leaving us, I wanted to go that extra mile (15 of them, actually!) so I signed up to Night to Remember, doing the 25km route.  This will be my first big fundraising event for St Barnabas and my husband has run the Brighton Marathon raising funds for the hospice.

I’m looking forward to the event and hoping that the weather stays dry. I’m hoping there will be a great atmosphere, good music to make my steps go a little quicker, the odd sweet treat and hopefully lots of loos on the route!  I’m walking with a friend of mine, Kayleigh, who I don’t see often so it’s a great opportunity to catch up on all the news and try to put the world to rights.

It’s so important to me to be able to keep this fabulous place afloat, so they can support others when they need it most.”