Patient stories

Mark and Sally’s story

Published on: 24/01/2025

“Sally was the love of my life,” says her husband, Mark. “She was a fantastic mum, a great friend and the most wonderful, bubbly person.”

Sally died a few months after the couple’s 25-year anniversary, when she was just 58. The couple had spent most of their married lives living in London and Hove, before moving to Lancing when their daughter, Rhiannon, went to college.

Sally worked at Brighton University as a receptionist in the School of Sport and Health Sciences. “She enjoyed helping the students and she was extremely well-loved,” says Mark, who has set up a bursary for nursing students in Sally’s name.  

Being cared for at home

In 2012, Sally found a lump in her breast and underwent chemotherapy and radiotherapy for breast cancer. Five years later, she complained of a bad back and a scan confirmed multiple secondary tumours.   

“We were referred to St Barnabas House almost immediately,” says Mark. “We chose Hospice at Home, and it was beyond amazing. Everything happened so quickly – she died just eight weeks after her terminal diagnosis – but the hospice did everything very, very well. The people were brilliant: nothing was too much trouble.   

Giving back to St Barnabas

“I had counselling after Sal died and it was very helpful. So, after all the support we’d received from the hospice, I wanted to do some fundraising in her memory.”  

In 2021, Mark did three marathon-length walks and a marathon-length cycle, after which an injury put his fundraising on hold. In 2024, he came back fighting, completing one marathon walk and three ultra-marathon walks – mostly on the Jurassic Coast and in the company of his nephew, Greg.

Above: Mark and Greg at the finish line (left); Mark celebrating after a marathon hike (right)

“For most of my life, I’ve been a runner,” he says. “Now I’m older, walking and cycling interest me more. What I really enjoy about doing sponsored challenges is that it gives friends and family the opportunity to remember Sal as well. “  

With plans for even more ambitious challenges in 2025, including a 75km Ultra Marathon walk, Mark has no plans to stop fundraising any time soon. So far, he has raised almost £7,000 in Sally’s honour. “I think that would surprise her,” says Mark. “She was a very modest person.”