Family take on 1,000 mile challenge in memory of mum who was cared for by St Ann’s Hospice

Lindsay Hawksworth and her family are taking on an incredible challenge all to raise money for the local hospice that cared for her mum.

Theresa, Lindsay’s mum, was diagnosed with bowel cancer when she was 50 years old in 2012, and sadly died aged 52 at the Heald Green hospice. Theresa had been an outpatient, visiting in the day for the last six months of her life, and became an inpatient when she was receiving end-of-life care.

Lindsay says: “To commemorate the tenth anniversary of our lovely mum’s passing, we have decided to walk, run and hike 1,000 miles to raise money for the amazing charity St Ann’s Hospice.

“This challenge was inspired by the lyrics in one of her favourite songs by The Proclaimers: “But I would walk 500 miles, and I would walk 500 more.”

“Our challenge started on her anniversary on 6th April 2024 and will finish in Scotland (where Mum was from), where we will summit Ben Nevis on 15th September 2024. This will involve completing the equivalent of 10km a day on foot, every day for over five months.”

Lindsay and her family have taken part in fundraising for St Ann’s previously, doing some Tough Mudder and Race for Life events. For the tenth anniversary Lindsay wanted to do something poignant and make it a big challenge.

Lindsay and her youngest brother are both attempting to walk, run or hike 1,000 miles each, with a few other family members joining them at the end to summit Ben Nevis.

“Our fun-loving, kind and caring mum touched so many people’s lives and we miss her every day. This challenge will help us give back to the incredible charity St Ann’s Hospice that helped her so much throughout her battle with cancer.

“They provide care to people and their families living with a life-limiting illness in the Greater Manchester community. Any donations you can make will mean the world to us.”

Lindsay and her family are hoping to raise £3,000 for St Ann’s Hospice. To donate to their JustGiving page please go to www.justgiving.com/page/challenge1000.