Student takes on Grimsby 10K in memory of her nana
Before visiting St Andrew’s Hospice, Libby didn’t know a lot about the hospice but had previously heard of it. Her nana choose to come to the hospice for her end-of-life care after being diagnosed with lung cancer, which lead Libby and her family to realise how special the hospice was.
Libby said: “I didn't know much about the hospice until I actually came and visited my nana when she was here, and I didn't really know what to expect, but when I came, the environment was just so lovely, everyone was so caring, and so was the way that my nana was treated.”
After the care Libby’s nana and family had received during their time at the hospice, Libby wanted to help give back to the hospice so that other people could experience the support they had all received.
She explained: “I just knew that I wanted to help with the hospice and the fundraising that they do here and help them continue to do the amazing work that they do. And so, in memory of my nana and to help the hospice, I thought I'd run the Grimsby 10K.”
Ahead of running the Grimsby 10K, Libby had fundraised £420 through her JustGiving page for the hospice, to help patients and their families to have access to the hospice's services and support.
“I managed to raise £420, which I was really happy with as my original goal was £300.
And so, once I hit that, I moved the goal up to £400 and it was just so lovely to have all my friends and family, and even old friends come together and help support me and help support the hospice.”
Libby added: “Even my younger sister donated to my page, she is too young to have a job, so she used some of her birthday money and donated £5.”
Alongside revising for her A Level exams, Libby was dedicated to her training which helped her complete her first 10K run in under an hour on the day of the race.
“There was one point at the race, right towards the end on Peaks Parkway, where I was struggling a little bit, and a lady tapped me on my back and she said, ‘I used to work at the hospice. I know why you're doing this.
You're doing it for someone you've lost, and just remember, she's watching down on you, she's proud of you, and keep doing it for her, and keep pushing.’ I passed her at the end, and I thanked her for the help and encouragement, it really did help as I had never ran that far before.
“I'd really recommend the Grimsby 10K, it was it was so lovely. Everyone was there for me and to hear the fundraising team cheering while I was running was absolutely brilliant. I'd really recommend it. I had the best time, and it was amazing.”
If you would like to get involved and help fundraise essential funds for St Andrew’s Hospice, then please contact our fundraising team at sahos.fundraising@nhs.net or view our ‘Get Involved’ page and see ways that you can help support us.