Why I’m running the Mid Sussex Marathon – in memory of Mum

After experiencing the care her mum Annie received at St Barnabas House during her final weeks, Sarah knew she wanted to give something back. This weekend, she’s running the Mid Sussex Marathon in her mum’s memory — turning grief into action and helping to fund live-changing hospice care for others.

When my lovely mum Annie became ill, none of us imagined how quickly our lives would change. She was 76, fit, fiercely independent, and devoted to her family. But by the summer of 2025, she was diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer and told she had just three to six months to live. What followed was devastating. But thanks to St Barnabas House, those last months with Mum were also filled with joy, dignity and compassion — right until the very end. That’s why, this year, I’m taking on the Mid Sussex Marathon and fundraising in her memory. 

When everything changed 

Mum lived alone and had a full, active life. She had five children, 11 grandchildren, and a constant stream of visitors. When she began feeling unwell early in 2025, none of us expected the diagnosis that came so suddenly a few months later. Everything moved at frightening speed. She was understandably shocked, as were we. For most of her illness, Mum was cared for at home, surrounded by family, with incredible support from hospice clinical nurse specialists who helped manage her symptoms and keep her comfortable. But towards the end, complications meant she needed more specialist care than we could provide at home. 

Why hospice care matters 

Mum spent the final two-and-a-half weeks of her life at St Barnabas House — and the difference it made was remarkable. At the hospice, Mum was reviewed daily by specialist doctors. Any changes to her medication were made immediately. Her pain and symptoms were closely managed, and her comfort was always the priority. That responsiveness and expertise simply wouldn’t have been possible in a busy hospital setting.

But it wasn’t just about clinical care. What struck us most was how personal everything felt. The staff didn’t just see Mum as a patient — they saw her as a person. They took time to understand what mattered to her and to us as a family.  

Image above: Sarah’s mum Annie stands holding her cat Peggy who later visited her at the hospice.

What mattered most to Mum 

There is one moment will stay with me forever. Mum adored her cat, Peggy, and as the end drew near, it was important to Mum that she could say goodbye to her. The team at St Barnabas made it happen. 

One afternoon, we brought Peggy into the hospice and Mum lay in her bed and cuddled her beloved cat one last time. It was heartbreaking — but it was also beautiful. That kind of moment simply wouldn’t have been possible in a hospital setting. That’s the essence of hospice care — it’s person-centred and the staff listen to what really matters to every patient. 

Mum died peacefully — on my birthday. While the loss was devastating, knowing she was comfortable, respected and cared for with such kindness gave us enormous reassurance at the hardest time of our lives. 

Finding strength through fundraising 

The care Mum received inspired me to want to give something back. I’m running the Mid Sussex Marathon alongside work colleagues, my son, and my daughter — all in memory of their granny. I’m 55 years old and had never run before. I joke that I’m “not a spring chicken”, but that hasn’t stopped me. 

To make it manageable, I’m doing a combination of running, cycling and swimming — my own version of mini-triathlons. Training has been tough, but it has also helped me process my grief. It’s given me focus and purpose at a time when everything else felt unbearable. Fundraising has helped turn something painful into something positive — and that’s incredibly powerful.

Why your support for hospice care is needed more than ever 

I was shocked to learn how little funding hospices receive from the government. Organisations like St Barnabas House rely heavily on community fundraising to continue providing their care. As our population ages, more families will need hospice support. We must protect these services because everyone deserves comfort, dignity, and compassionate care at the end of life. 

I work in care myself, as CEO of South Coast Nursing Homes, so I understand end-of-life care and support professionally. Yet even with that background, nothing prepares you for facing it with someone you love. A “good death” — peaceful, pain-free, and surrounded by care — is the gift St Barnabas House gave to my mum and to our family. 

Could you take on a challenge too? 

Whether it’s running, walking, swimming, baking or fundraising with friends, there are so many ways to support St Barnabas House. I hope my story inspires you to get involved. Every challenge taken on, every pound raised, helps ensure that other families can experience the same specialist care we did. I’ll be carrying Mum’s memory with me every step of the way — and I couldn’t be prouder to run for her and for St Barnabas.”