Siblings raise over £2,600 in memory of dad who was 'a larger-than-life character'

Sarah and Jon grew up in Keelby with parents Ian and Queenie. Jon moved away to pursue university and his career, settling in Nottingham with his wife and two children, whilst Sarah chose to stay close to her parents and become a maternity nurse at the local hospital.  

Ian, was an ex-policeman, very well-known and respected by the people in his local community.  

Jon explained: "He was always keen for us to expand our horizons as much as possible, whether this was through sport or travel, and he really enjoyed the latter. He visited a huge number of places across the globe with my mum once they were retired."  

Sarah added: "Dad enjoyed his jobs, his garden, his life and his holidays! He loved to travel, so as a family we ventured to places people weren’t generally going to in the 80s. 

“Another massive part of dad’s life was when the grandchildren came along! He adored Noah and Matilda, Jon's children, and proved to be awesome as their 'Grampy’. 

“I have so many wonderful memories of my dad, I cannot name one but feel grateful that throughout my childhood dad was a helpful, dependable person who brought Jon and I up with strong morals and beliefs that make us who we are as adults." 

Unfortunately, Ian suddenly fell ill over Christmas 2025. He was diagnosed with metastatic pancreatic cancer on the 28th of December, and a self-referral was made to the hospice.  

Sarah said: "One of the first things he said was that he wanted to die in the hospice. I think as he hated hospitals and he wanted to protect his family. Dying at home was not an option." 

Ian and his family first visited the hospice after Ian was admitted to the inpatient ward, due to a decline in his health and the need for symptom control. While his family and friends came to visit, they used the onsite restaurant at lunchtime which was an 'absolute godsend’. 

Sarah explained: "We also loved that the rooms were so private, we could spend precious time there and stay over as required. It was only five weeks after dad’s diagnosis that he was admitted and heartbreakingly, six days following that, he died. He died peacefully and with the greatest of dignity, which is all we can wish for at the end." 

With Jon adding: "We were in the hospice for a short period of time, but what still amazes me is the warmth and comfort that we felt as a family from every single person at St Andrew's Hospice. It's truly overwhelming even speaking about the place now, several months after we were there."  

Before Ian's self-referral was made, his family knew about the hospice through social media, however, were shocked to learn that majority of the care their dad received was funded through fundraising. Jon explained: "We had assumed that this sort of service was provided by government." 

Inspired by the care their dad and their families received and the knowledge that the government only funds 18% of the hospice's £7million annual operating costs. Sarah and Jon both set eyes on fundraising for the hospice in any way they could. 

Jon an experienced runner, decided to complete a 50-mile run and then a day later race in the Grimsby 10k. "As a runner, I've completed a number of marathons and whilst my initial thinking was to just run that distance, I wanted it to be a little more meaningful. I hadn't run the Grimsby 10k before, so though that would be good as regards the location, but similarly I wanted to probably run a little further to illustrate that I was doing something with a decent amount of effort! 

“It was difficult, but with the reason behind why I was doing it, I don’t think it was ever considered that I wouldn’t make it around. The toughest part was getting my legs moving again the next day for the 10k!" 

Sarah's fundraising consisted of many bake sales held at the hospital unit where she works, supported by colleagues across the hospital.  

She explained: "As I don’t run, I couldn’t join Jon on his 50-mile ultramarathon, however, I can make a decent cake! So, I decided to do a bake sale in Grimsby maternity. My work colleagues not only supported us with cake days but provided an immense amount of support to us after dad’s diagnosis. Our bestsellers were sausage rolls, triple chocolate brownies, Biscoff flapjack, lemon drizzle and jammy dodger blondies." 

Sarah added: "If anyone is thinking of raising money for the hospice in any way, shape or form please do. The government gives very little assistance or funds to provide the much-needed care for patients in our area.”