This May, Angela McCulley will trek 11-miles across the Malvern Hills in memory of her dad – John E Parkinson.
John was supported at home in Droitwich, before receiving care on the hospice’s In-patient Unit in Worcester. He passed away in June 2021.
Here Angela, 52, explains what St Richard’s means to her – and why she signed up for the charity’s Malvern Hills Walk challenge.
She is raising funds for the hospice, and you can donate online: justgiving.com/fundraising/angela-mcculley
I’ve always liked to go for walks, but when dad became poorly I didn’t walk as often. And, when he was at St Richard’s, I didn’t walk at all.
When we lost dad, I lost my love for life and found every part so difficult to deal with.
I knew that walking was the thing I enjoyed so much, but it took all my effort to go out. But, I made myself get out every day and the love for walking began to return.
I knew I wanted to raise funds for St Richard’s. So, after seeing the Malvern Hills Walk event advertised, I grabbed the challenge with both hands.
I will take part in this event on my own. I feel that I need to complete something to show myself I can be the person I was before we lost dad.
I know I will never be the same again, but by doing this I am working towards that.
Everybody taking part is there for their own reasons, but we are all there to raise funds for St Richard’s.
They have been touched by the way St Richard’s can help in some of our darkest times – and they want to pay this back in memory of somebody they loved and cared about.
I’m super proud I’m taking part in this challenge, and I know my lovely dad will be with me every step of the way. I’ll have his picture on my rucksack, so others can see him and why I’m so very proud to be his daughter.
How the hospice supported us
When dad was staying in the hospice, the team were there not only for dad, who was their main priority, but they were there for us too.
Nothing was too much trouble. There was always a quiet, calm smile for us when anybody came into his room. We felt like we were the only family there and under their care.
They are like angels that walk the earth, and they have my utmost respect and thanks.
The hospice’s support for us as a family is still available, and I am very grateful for this.
It is my chats with the hospice’s bereavement counsellor, Sue, that helped me through the last 10 months. Sue knew walking was important to me, so she set up a Walk and Talk for us.
That made a huge difference, and I know Sue is still there when things get difficult.
What raising funds means to me
It means the world to me to be able to raise funds for St Richard’s. The hospice is a charity and can only help those in need if the financial support is there.
I want to help raise funds so St Richard’s can continue the amazing work it does. I know each and every penny raised will certainly put a spring in my step, and help me over those 11 hilly miles.
And, it will make a difference to somebody that needs the help of St Richard’s Hospice in the future.
- The Malvern Hills Walk takes place on Saturday, 14 May. To find out more, and sign up, visit www.strichards.org.uk/event/malvern-hills-walk-2022