Hospice Hero, Kerry Lewis walks 206 miles, the distance from Cardiff to Anglesey and raises over £8,000 to support City Hospice’s Recovery Fund
Kerry Lewis is a Hospice Hero and wants to share her story to encourage others to become Hospice Heroes too!
Kerry Lewis is very proud of her achievement and tells us all about it:
“I have been a volunteer and regular giver for the Hospice for the past 5 years after seeing first hand the incredible care, time, patience and love given to my precious husband Mike 6 years ago. Mike, my husband died of non hodgkinson lymphoma and City Hospice supported Mike in so many ways. This was as well as supporting our son Morgan who was 12 at the time and myself by the wonderful counselling services given by Sarah Bull . So to be a volunteer and to give back to the community is the easiest thing I have ever done.
” Go girl you can do it”
My last fundraiser started out with just an idea of walking the distance from Cardiff to Holyhead, Anglesey. Its a total of 206 miles in the month of November. I thought about it broke down to distance over the 30 days and decided “go girl you can do it”
Well what happened next was a complete surprise in more ways than one! Just before my birthday, on 1st November, a few of my friends arranged a surprise birthday drinks and picnic in their garden for me. My sponsor form was naturally with me! As I asked my friends to sponsor me, one of my lovely friend’s called Leighsa said “I can do something like that myself”. She decided to do it in memory of Rob Dix who was our very close friend who was cared for in 2020 by City Hospice. The Hospice gave great support to his wife, Julia and their two girls.
Rob Dix was one of life’s fabulous characters the most friendly and hospitable person one would ever meet. Rob would go for long walks around Llandaff with his wife Julia and their 2 huskies. So Leighsa thought it would be fitting in memory of Rob or ‘ Boberlicious ‘ as Leighsa always called him to do a 100km walk for the month of November also.
I reached Holyhead with a day to spare
The great thing with us doing individual walking challenges was that we were both sponsored for the different events and of course we also had different circles of friends and people we could ask,including our work colleague. In-fact Leighsa’s company donated a huge £1,000.
The walking challenge for me personally was great fun. On weekends I walked from early morning until dusk! My walks included walks from Cardiff to Penarth and back and to Castell Coch quite a few times. I would always walk to and from work every day. In fact I would walk every minute I could and I absolutely loved it. I reached Holyhead after walking 206 miles after 29 days with a day spare! 
Leighsa completed her 100km walk in November, like me loving it also, doing an extra special walk on the day of Rob’s birthday 18th November. Leighsa tracked her progress all the way by uploading fabulous photos of her beautiful autumn walks and gorgeous Cardiff scenery. At the end of her walk Julia (Rob’s) wife along with our friends were there to give one huge clap along with a few tears, well done lovely Leighsa.
The icing on the cake was the incredible amount we both raised which was after fundraiser matching from The Hodge Foundation a fantastic £8,332.
I encourage you all to join us in becoming a Hospice hero
Just think what can be achieved by a simple idea, word of mouth and then doing it. We both thoroughly loved this challenge, raising much needed funds with the added bonus of keeping fit, I encourage you all to take up your own personal challenge for City Hospice, join us become a HOSPICE HERO.”
Neil Davies, Community Fundraiser said:
“What a fantastic achievement, thank you so much to Kerry and Leighsa for being true hospice heroes ! Together, you have raised such an amazing amount and this will truly make a difference at City Hospice.
If you would like to become Hospice Hero find out more here – you can take on any challenge you like. All monies raised will help us continue to care for patients and their families across Cardiff.
Join #TeamCity Hospice and become a Hospice Hero
Finally did you know?
When fundraising, it’s always worth checking with your employer to see if they offer match funding or support. Start fundraising today here
