Ben's story: Running for Dad

Ben’s dad was cared for at Hospice in the Weald before he died. He valued hard work, loved his family, and enjoyed looking after their home and garden. Here, Ben shares how the whole family could spend quality time together in his dad’s final weeks, his drive to fundraise, and why he’ll be participating in Hospice Run…

I was twelve when he started working at a small village garage in Ticehurst and he worked there right up until he became ill in the January. The really sad thing is that he had worked so hard for all his life and then passed away virtually at the point of retirement.

Dad had been unwell and was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer on 21st January 2023 and was told that it had also spread which meant that chemotherapy was not an option. He was unwell before but from the point of diagnosis, there was a very rapid decline, and he was keen to go to the Hospice because it was local to us, and we knew all about it.

My girlfriend and I did the half marathon at Hospice Run in 2024. It’s a really nice run to do, the atmosphere keeps you going through a lot of it and the environment is very pretty. A stream train went by when we went ran past High Rocks which was lovely. Even if it a really hot day, there are plenty of trees to keep you cool. We have signed up to do it again this year because I want to keep Dad’s memory alive and I recognise the work that the Hospice continues to do.