A DAD and his daughters are preparing to get covered in paint and gunge in support of the hospice caring for their family.
Carl, Amber and Ayrah Ives, from Littleworth, near Worcester, are set to take on the St Richard’s Hospice Messy Madness fun run this Saturday, July 27th.
They were inspired to sign-up to “do something positive” for St Richard’s which is caring for their mum, Michelle, who has skin cancer – and is supporting the whole family with counselling.
Mr Ives, aged 47, said: “Ayrah did some mindfulness at school and declared she felt helpless with regard to mum’s illness. We chatted and decided to do some fundraising as a way of tackling that feeling.
“It is the same for all of us. You feel so powerless watching someone you love being ill – but doing something positive to help others in a similar situation makes you feel a bit more empowered and helps with dealing with the emotions.”
The trio will challenge themselves to complete the 5k course at Churchfields Farm, Droitwich, and have already raised more than £1,000.
Mrs Ives has attended art therapy, complementary therapy and t’ai chi sessions as part of her St Richard’s care.
She has also received individual counselling and couples counselling with her husband, provided by the hospice’s Family Support Team.
Amber, 11, and Ayrah, eight, have both been given individual and joint support, along with counselling and have attended the Waterbugs pre-bereavement support group with their dad.
Mr Ives said: “Basically, the whole family is supported by St Richard’s – and in these difficult days, knowing they are there, and will be throughout and beyond Michelle’s illness, is a real comfort as you don’t feel so isolated from everyone else’s world.
“St Richard’s has been so good to the whole family and it means a lot to us to put something back as well. We hope doing the run will benefit us as it will be a fun day to remember and will help us with our emotions.”
To donate and support their fundraising, visit justgiving.com/fundraising/michellesfamily
St Richard’s Hospice cares for adults with a serious progressive illness, improving their quality of life from diagnosis, during treatment and to their last days. It also supports their loved ones.
Each year the hospice team supports more than 3,300 patients, family members and bereaved people in Worcestershire.
St Richard’s is an independent charity and relies on donations and gifts in Wills for the majority of its income with 22% funded by the NHS.
The hospice is also raising funds for the Build 2020 Appeal and is part way through developing a bigger hospice, enabling more patients and families to be cared for in Worcestershire. The total cost for expanding and redeveloping the existing building in Wildwood Drive, Worcester, is £5.3m.