Land's End to John O'Groats on two wheels
Land’s End to John O’Groats on two wheels
Pals Samuel Leonard and Jordan Chance are taking on the mammoth task of cycling from Land’s End to John O’Groats this July to raise funds for their Hospice.
Both Samuel and Jordan have experienced first hand the care St Michael’s provides to people living with terminal illness.
Sam’s wife’s Grandad, Des Rees, was looked after by St Michael’s Hospice staff when his fight against Dementia and Alzheimer’s was coming to an end.
Sam said ‘Unfortunately, Des lost his battle on the 12th January 2019. The staff at the Hospice supported Des during his last few months when his condition deteriorated rapidly. In the final few days, the staff made it possible for Des to be in the comfort of his own home with his wife, Pat and the family. The staff came daily to provide personal care and to make Des comfortable’.
‘They gave us as a family so much support and comfort at a time where it was most needed. Therefore, I want to give something back to St Michael’s Hospice so that they can continue to support patients and their families during difficult times’.
On the 31st of December 2009, Jordan’s Mum lost her battle with secondary cancer. In the last few months his mum spent time out at St Michael’s Hospice.
Jordan said ‘the care my Mum received whilst she was there was always the very best before coming home to be around family. With being 16 at the time of my Mums passing I didn’t really take in much of what was going on in the world around me but I do remember the incredible work that the staff at St Michael’s Hospice did for my Mum and the amazing work they have carried on doing for other families in similar situations to my own.
“That same year my fiancee’s Grandad, Keith Rees who is brother to Des Rees lost his battle to cancer as well. He spent his final days at St Michael’s Hospice and on the day of his passing he was surrounded by his family. The staff had made the family comfortable and very looked after. They created a respectful, compassionate and caring atmosphere in which Keith passed peacefully in surrounded by family talking about the good old time.’
‘Therefore I would like to support them as they did me and my fiancee’s family and raise awareness of the amazing work that the staff of St Michael’s Hospice do on a daily basis’.
If you’d like to show your support for Sam and Jordan and follow their journey, you can visit their JustGiving page here: