She came, she climbed, and she conquered! Isabel Hospice Clinical Nurse Specialist Janice Penman has successfully concluded her 2023 fundraising challenge!
With the goal of embarking on this huge feat in the name of raising money and awareness for Isabel Hospice, Janice set out on January 2nd, 2023, to begin the first of many climbs. Since then, she has climbed a total of 32,163 feet, summited 12 peaks and raised a running total of over three and a half thousand pounds for Isabel Hospice.
Joining Isabel in 2003 as a Staff Nurse, Janice has been at the heart of what we do for over two decades. Now a Clinical Nurse Specialist, she has made an impermeable impact on the lives of so many people, patients and their families, going above and beyond to provide care, when it matters most.
As part of our community palliative care team, Janice provides care for people out in the community and in their homes. During 2022/23, Isabel Hospice supported 1,894 people and the majority of patients (89%) were supported in the community by our Hospice at Home team, Clinical Nurse Specialists and Paramedic Specialists, Living Well with Isabel day services in Bishop’s Stortford, Waltham Cross and Welwyn Garden City, Compassionate Communities programme and Family Support team.
The seed of thought for this challenge was planted when Janice was speaking with a patient who compared the daily task of getting up, washed and dressed when living with a life limiting illness, to “climbing a mountain every single day”.
So that is what Janice decided to do, to climb mountain after mountain, come rain, shine, sleet or snow. Every climb she undertook was dedicated to the celebration or memory of someone or something special, which also inspired not only friends and colleagues to join Janice but also family and loved ones of her former patients.
In December following her final descent back to ground level, Janice reflected on such an impactful year. She said “This has been an amazing experience and I have learned a few things about myself, mainly that I am stronger and more resilient than I ever thought I was. The best part without a doubt has been meeting the most amazing people”.
Read on for: Diary of a year in mountains…
2nd January: Moel Siabod – For Isabel Hospice
Starting her journey in North Wales, Janice began by climbing the highest peak in the Moelwynion Mountain region.
Janice certainly felt the dizzy heights as she reached the summit whilst wearing all her layers to protect from the ice and snow. Janice reflected that “upon embarking on this challenge I consider myself very lucky and privileged to have worked for the same organisation. Working in specialist palliative care can be emotionally challenging at times, but being able to support people at such a difficult time in their life and to make a difference is such a privilege.”
28th February: Pen Y Fan – Dedicated to the Isabel Hospice Administrative Staff
Next up on the agenda was Pen Y Fan, a mountain in the Brecon Beacons, South Wales.
Janice chose to dedicate this mountain to her incredible colleagues without whom Isabel Hospice could not provide their care. She said, “these dedicated staff work tirelessly behind the scenes to support the clinical team” and ensure that our services are effectively delivered. Janice was also inspired as one of her colleagues – Penny Fanthorpe – had the name to match!
26th March: Cadair Idris – Dedicated to Julia Moodey
Powering through, Janice conquered her third and tallest mountain yet – the summit of Cadair Idris in Gwynedd.
For the third climb Janice was joined by one of our Hospice at Home Nurse’s Rachel Wisby. Janice dedicated this climb to the memory of her friend and colleague, Julia Moodley, who was a Clinical Nurse Specialist for Isabel Hospice. Julia sadly died in February 2021. Janice said “she is sorely missed by everyone who knew and worked with her. While we climbed, we talked about Julia and shared some lovely memories and stories. We planted some daffodils as these were Julia’s favourite flower”.
1st April: Snowdon – Dedicated to Andrew Scripps
Only a week later Janice was onto climb number four. Conquering the highest mountain in Wales. Standing at a remarkable 3,560 feet, Snowdon became the tallest climb of her journey.
Janice was joined on this climb by Danielle Scripps, wife to Andrew who was cared for by Isabel Hospice and Janice before he died. Janice said “I was honoured to be accompanied by Andrew’s wife Danielle who has raised over £6000 for our charity. This was Danielle’s first ever mountain climb and she smashed it!”
28th May: Glyder Fawr – Dedicated to the Community
Fast approaching the halfway point of her incredible campaign, Janice took on her next mountain in North West Wales.
On this climb she was joined by our very own CEO Helen Glenister.
It was a challenging climb, full of treacherous terrains and lots of scrambling. Despite this Janice and Helen embraced the challenge and reflected on the challenges that Isabel Hospice patients face every single day. They dedicated this climb to our incredible community, who have supported Isabel Hospice for over 40 years and without whom, we could not provide our care.
22nd June: The Yorkshire Three Peaks – Dedicated to all Isabel Hospice Volunteers
Janice was halfway there!
For her sixth ascent, she embarked on a trio of mountains in the beautiful Yorkshire Dales National Park. Accompanied by a friend who had recently recovered from a brain injury and showed such strength and determination.
As June is also home to National Volunteers Week, Janice wanted to dedicate this climb to the over 500 volunteers at Isabel Hospice, without whom we simply couldn’t provide our care.
29th July: Moel Elio – Dedicated to Carers
Back in Wales for mountain seven, Janice was in the North of the country to tackle this lesser-known summit, with beautiful views.
This climb was dedicated by Janice to the devoted carers of Isabel Hospice patients. Janice said “carers are incredible and for many of them this can be the hardest job they have ever had to do. For some it could feel that they are climbing a mountain every single day.”
28th August: Slieve Loughshannagh – Dedicated to Men’s Mental Health
Next, Janice took her journey to Ireland, as she set out to summit Slieve Loughshannagh.
Janice cited the copious evidence showing that health care services often fail to meet the psychological needs of male. She said “in dedicating this climb I also wanted to shine a light on the new men’s group we have launched at Isabel Hospice, recognising the need for specialised support that suits the needs of the people we care for.”
1st September: Slieve Binnian – Dedicated to Jenny
Only a couple of days later, still in Northern Ireland and crossing into September. Janice moved on to climb the impressive Slieve Binnian.
This climb was dedicated to Jenny, one of Janice’s patients. She said “Jenny demonstrates such courage and strength in dealing with her illness and never complains. She always puts others needs before her own and I am honoured to be part of her and her family’s journey. Supporting patients and family’s like Jenny’s is what makes my job the best in the world.”
22nd October Cnicht – Dedicated to Barry Redford
Following a much-needed rest, Janice was back in Wales for mountain ten!
This tenth climb was done in memory of the late Barry Redford, a father of three who, in 2022, was cared for by Janice and the Isabel Hospice community palliative care team before spending his last few days in our In Patient Unit, where he died peacefully.
His daughters Faith, Claire and Lucy joined Janice on this climb. She said “we talked fondly about Barry as we climbed. He would have been so proud of his girls!”
12th November: Great Gables – Dedicated to Joyce Sharp
Now embarking on her penultimate challenge, Janice headed to the Lake District.
Reaching the summit of the mountain, Janice attended a Remembrance Sunday service along with hundreds of people and found it such a moving experience.
At the time Janice was caring for Joyce Sharp who loved hearing about Janice’s climbs up the mountain. She was looking forward to telling her all about this special climb but Joyce sadly died this same weekend.
Janice dedicated this climb in her memory, sharing “she was a special lady, whom I was privileged to have known.”
2nd December: Myndd Mawr –Dedicated to all Patients Past and Present of Isabel Hospice
In December, the time had come for Janice to conclude her challenge with Myndd Mawr in Snowdonia, accompanied by her niece Lorna and friend Helene.
Dedicating her final climb to all patients, past and present, who have spent a Christmas with Isabel Hospice, Janice wanted to also acknowledge the devotion of the staff who make the Hospice a home during the festive season by ensuring that patients and their families have the best Christmas possible, as for some, it may sadly be their last.
All of us at Isabel Hospice are in awe of Janice and couldn’t be prouder of the incredible feat she has achieved.
Janice’s Just Giving page is still open to try and reach her target. If you would like to help get her there, click here: JustGiving.
