There will be mud, sweat and tears when two sisters take on Isabel Hospice’s newest fundraising challenge in memory of their mum.
Joanne Gray and younger sibling Louise have put together a team of family and friends for Muddy Mayhem on March 20th to raise money for the Hospice at Home team who cared for their late mother, Sue.
Joanne said: “The Hospice was involved throughout the last stages of Mum’s life and were fantastic in supporting us as a family. It made such a difference to have someone there listening and advising us on what was going to happen, and generally just being there for us all through what was happening.
“Mum didn’t want to be anywhere other than at home and Isabel Hospice made that possible. It was really reassuring knowing they were coming in to see her, especially when we couldn’t be there with her all the time. We always knew she was in very safe hands.
“She got on really well with one of the ladies in particular, who would come and sit and talk to her. They didn’t just look after her physical needs, they were there to offer mental and emotional support too, which was so important.
“It’s that personal, human approach that is so valuable. My mum was somebody to them, and they showed so much care and respect. She mattered right to the last second.”
Money raised from Muddy Mayhem will help ensure the Hospice can continue caring for more people like Sue when they need us. The much-loved grandma-of-two, a former nursing home matron who lived in Great Amwell, had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and died in February 2021 aged 69.
Joanne added: “Mum always had a very positive outlook on life and was great fun so she would love that we are doing this. She’d be really happy that we have the opportunity to give back to the Hospice as thanks for everything they did for us.”
The family-friendly 5km obstacle course taking place at the scenic Woodhall Estate in Watton at Stone, is being staged in partnership with Garden House Hospice Care. There is also a 1km Mini Muddy course for under-11s.
Registration costs £35 for adults and £25 for 11- to 16-year-olds before March 16th, or £40 and £30 respectively on the day and includes a commemorative medal and refreshment at the end of the course. Those aged 11-16 must be accompanied on the Muddy Mayhem course by a paying adult. Registration for Mini Muddy is £5 in advance or on the day.
Registration opens at 10am on the day and the event starts at 12noon. There will also be stalls and caterers at the event village offering participants and spectators the chance to buy refreshments and more.
Isabel Hospice fundraiser Lindsay Hunter said: “We are delighted to be joining forces with our friends at Garden House Hospice Care to collaboratively bring you Muddy Mayhem. This is the first year for Isabel Hospice and we are really looking forward to seeing our supporters scramble, climb and clamber their way around the course and generally having a mud-tastic time whilst raising vital funds for our charity.”
For full details of the event, and to sign up in advance, click here.
