Becky runs the London Marathon for Willowbrook Hospice

Becky Frazer ran the TCS London Marathon for Willowbrook Hospice to raise as much money as possible for Willowbrook Hospice, following the care that her Dad received during his final days at the hospice.

We were so proud to hear that Becky successfully ran the marathon in just under 4 hours, 55 minutes which is a magnificent achievement! With thanks to all her supporters, she has raised a superb £2, 802!! We are so grateful for this phenomenal donation!

Here is Becky’s heart warming story:

“In January 2022 my dad Steve was diagnosed with terminal throat cancer. For the next 14 months he went through a brave and gruelling fight with the disease until he passed away on 30th March 2023, just three days after his 65th birthday.

As he approached end of life we cared for him at home with the support of an incredible team of district nurses, however towards his final weeks this sadly became unsustainable. My eldest brother has autism alongside other learning disabilities, and so seeing the deterioration of his dad’s health became increasingly challenging and distressing for him due to the combination of the increased level of care required, the constant changes in routine and amount of uncertainty in what each day would bring.

Our Macmillan Nurse then secured dad a place at Willowbrook Hospice, which is where he spent his final two weeks.

As an organisation they are nothing short of extraordinary, and I don’t think our family can ever show the true level of gratitude we have for them. They don’t just care for the individual, but the entire family. I can remember sitting reading a book in preparation for our upcoming arrival in dads room and finally feeling so calm and at peace, knowing he was getting the care, support and love he needed from both them and us. They went above and beyond to make the hospice feel like home, from showing every Saints game on his TV, to letting him open a beer and cheers on his birthday.

I’ll never forget the kindness they extended to us all, from Alex the Health Care Assistant who made me crumpets at 2am (I was 8 months pregnant and starving!) to the most genuine and heartfelt hug Nurse Emma gave me once dad had passed. They truly act as an extension of your own family with the level of love, care and compassion they give to both those in their care and their loved ones.

When we said our final goodbyes I remember Emma saying ‘it is such a privilege to care for them’ and I think this is shown in every single interaction they have with all who cross their path.

It costs Willowbrook on average £960 per day to provide their care, and so on April 27th I’ll be running to equip this incredible organisation with the funds to extend their support to another family, even if just for one day.

In memory of those who came before us, and the many who they continue to care for after us- we thank you.”