Honiton: Friends in multi-marathon challenge for Hospiscare in memory of mum

Two Honiton-based friends are running a series of marathons in aid of Hospiscase. 

Rachel Payne and Kate Smith are raising money for the charity after it provided 'incredible support' for Rachel's mum when she was diagnosed with terminal cancer six years ago.

In 2023 they will be undertaking four events together to raise the money. So far they have raised £1,025, which is a quarter of their target.

Rachel and Kate became friends a few years ago as their children are in the same year at school. Rachel has two boys aged seven and nine and Kate has three children, aged six, nine and 12. Rachel works for Libraries Unlimited whilst Kate works for the NHS.

Together they have signed up to an impressive range of events in 2023. Their first event was the Sir Walter Raleigh Half Marathon.

Over the course of 2023 Rachel and Kate will be competing in the London Marathon, a 50km Ultra from Kingswear to Shaldon, a marathon on Exmoor and the 50km Jurassic Coast Lyme Regis to Exmouth run.

In order to fit in their training between work and looking after their children, Rachel and Kate have to train at 5.30am. They do their longer training sessions on a Saturday and are back by 9am to help out at home. 

Rachel's mum, Helen, is from Budleigh. She was diagnosed with terminal cancer six years ago and died at home on October 8 2022. Thanks to Hospiscare, she passed away pain-free and surrounded by her children.

Rachel said: "Hospiscare looked after mum after she was diagnosed. Initially she only saw them sporadically as she was determined to fight her terminal diagnosis for as long as possible, but, in the later years, she saw the nurses much more often."

Helen hadn't told many people about the extent of her illness and so the Hospiscare nurses became a valuable emotional outlet, where she could really share her worries and fears. 

"Mum began to talk about how she felt about dying and leaving her family. Hospiscare helped her to prepare an end of life plan and discuss with us how we wanted her final weeks or days to be, and the type of funeral she wanted. 

Helen had been so determined to try and fight her illness that for the six years after her diagnosis, she still didn't receive any care at home and there were no formal support systems in place. 

However, when her final days came, Hospiscare rallied around the family and quickly organised at home care to ensure Helen passed away peacefully in her own bed, with her children surrounding her, just as she had wanted.  

Rachel continued: "The support that the nurses offered mum and my family, both physically and emotionally, was incredible. 

"Having support at home for the terminally ill is vitally important. 

"My dad died alone on the floor without any care after his discharge from hospital, so being able to support a charity that enabled my mum to pass peacefully in her bed with her children around her will mean more to me than anything I can ever articulate."

If you would like to support Rachel and Kate in their fundraising you can do so here.

Find out more about Hospiscare.