A group of friends are joining in the first ever City Hospice Sparkle Walk to raise funds in memory of a beloved husband, father, son and friend.
Mike Fenton from Thornhill, Cardiff was cared for by the hospice before passing away in September 2018, aged 59.
Family and friends are so grateful for the kindness received and decided to give something back to the local charity.
Amanda Fenton writes:
“When my lovely husband Mike was diagnosed with a fairly rare form of cancer we were referred to City Hospice. I’ll admit that referral terrified us. We didn’t want to hear the words ‘Hospice’ ‘Palliative care’ and ‘Incurable disease’ and during our first meeting I am slightly embarrassed to admit that we pushed the hospice away. Mike was a very fit cyclist with an incredibly positive attitude and those words conjured up negativity that wasn’t part of our plan. We always believed, prayed and hoped that Mike would get better….this couldn’t be happening to us.
Sadly, it wasn’t very long before we really needed the help of City Hospice. Mike received the most incredible care from Dr Margred Capel who soon got to know Mike and worked with him to find the best medication to control his pain. She really respected him and he her and, importantly, she treated him as an individual.
During this time I also received support in the form of Counselling from Sarah Bull. Our lives had been tipped upside down by Mike’s diagnosis and Sarah helped me deal with the enormity of living with so much fear and uncertainty, whilst looking after Mike and our two sons. I also benefited from complimentary reflexology that really helped with my nightmares and sleep.
Devastatingly Mike lost his battle in September 2018, 11 months to the day that he was diagnosed. Our world really and truly fell apart.
However almost 9 months on we are still receiving the help of City Hospice. They have been right by our side since Mike’s diagnosis and still are. The Counselling remains invaluable and I have met lovely people who will be lifelong friends who have lost their husband or wives too. I would encourage anyone being referred to the Hospice not to be afraid like we were, they are there to help and really do. I call them Angels on Earth. We will be forever grateful for their support where Mike had the best care at the end of his life and we have been looked after during what continues to be the worst time of ours.
I am taking part in the first ever City Hospice Sparkle Walk to do something positive in Mike’s memory and raise some money for this incredible cause. My eldest son Alex and his friends have challenged themselves to complete the Carten bike ride; my youngest son Sam completed the Cardiff Half Marathon so now it’s my turn. The event also falls on the first anniversary of Mike’s funeral; a day I know that will be terribly hard. So it is even more poignant to be entering the Sparkle Walk to remember Mike and the wonderful husband, father, son and friend that he was.
I am really looking forward to spending time with my friends on the night doing this walk and Sparkling just like Mike did every day. It will be lovely to reach the Hospice and leave a message in the Sparkle memory garden. I am sure we will share some laughter but also some tears and will be surrounded by love, kindness and support that I now associate with the incredible charity that is City Hospice
Within an amazing 24 hours of telling my friends about the Sparkle Walk a group of 25 fabulous ladies volunteered to take part. I’ll be bringing several different groups of friends together on the night, all of whom have and continue to support us. People often say that folk move on after the initial trauma of a bereavement and I know how lucky and truly blessed I am to have this fabulous bunch of friends who continue to walk beside me and the boys and that’s exactly what we’ll be doing ….with some Sparkle.
Thank you City Hospice for all you have done and continue to do for us”.
Daisy Magill, Fundraising Officer said:
“I am pleased that we can support Amanda and her friends by giving them a special way to remember their loved ones, this is what this event is all about, and celebrating the life of those we have lost, reminiscing on those happy memories. I feel it’s very important that we have incorporated the hospice into our walk route, as we can welcome people and show what a warm and supportive environment the hospice is”.
The City Hospice Sparkle Walk takes place on Saturday 21st September, and starts at 9pm. We will take a 10k circular route starting and finishing at Insole Court, Llandaff. All proceeds raised in Sponsorship for this event will support the invaluable care that is offered to the people of Cardiff who are living with advanced illnesses.
Registration is now open for those who wish to take part. Entry is £10 and each participant will receive a t-shirt, half way refreshments and medal on completion.
To register for The City Hospice Sparkle Walk please Register Here, call 02920 524150 or email daisy.magill@cityhospice.org.uk
