“My Mum, Sue, was a kind, nurturing, selfless person. An ex-primary school teacher, an artist and best of all, a wonderful mother. She always supported and encouraged my sister and I to live life to the full, and was always there for us.”
“During a very bravely fought battle with breast cancer, Mum came to stay at St Clare. I had been caring for her at home, but we got to the point where I didn’t know how I could help her anymore, or what I could do.”
“But then St Clare stepped in, and the sun came out.”
“The moment we walked in to St Clare, it was like stepping into a luxury hotel! From the get-go, nothing was too much trouble. The nurses were always there to help and support us.”
“I had no prior experience of being at a hospice. I felt nervous and worried for my mum, as we didn’t know what to expect or what it would be like. Now, I know how positive, supportive and vital the work of St Clare is.”
“Mum had so many visitors, cards, and flowers whilst she was staying at St Clare. The Hospice was a lovely place to stay. St Clare even made it possible for Mum to return home to Epping, a week before she passed away. The nurses were so supportive in helping her to return home, and then bringing her back to the hospice where she could feel comfortable and peaceful.”
“It is all the elements together that make up St Clare. Everyone we came into contact with was so supportive, and gave my mum exactly what she needed. It meant so much to us, how the Hospice supported us through such a special and difficult time.”
“While we were still at the Hospice, we put our heads together to find a way to celebrate Mum’s life and to thank St Clare for all they had done for us. We decided to use our talents to host ‘A Concert for Sue’.”
“Mum loved to sing, and she ran a theatre group in Harlow called Theatretrain. We’re a whole family of actors and singers, and I take after Mum too with my own performing. Last year I completed three years in the Les Miserables West End production! ‘A Concert for Sue’ was the perfect way to thank St Clare, and honour and remember our mum.”
“We had so many acts ranging from West End casts, The Royal Academy of Music, family, friends, The Vienna Festival Ballet, comedians, children from the Theatretrain which my mum ran in Harlow – we couldn’t all fit in the theatre! It was a fantastic night, complete with a raffle, and we raised £1,800 for St Clare.”
“Sadly, Mum never got to be there with us for ‘A Concert for Sue,’ but we made sure it went ahead in her honour. I was 25 when Mum died on 17 March 2013, and I am grateful to have had her in my life for as long as I did.”
“The care and attention my mum received within the last few months of her life at St Clare made all the difference in making our journey just that bit easier. I thank St Clare from the bottom of my heart. I am incredibly grateful and I know my mum is, too.”
“That’s why on Sunday 22 April 2018, I will run the London Marathon in memory of Mum and in aid of St Clare Hospice. Running for St Clare is incredibly important and personal to me. It will be so very motivating to know that I am running in memory of my Mum, and to support the vital care and support that St Clare offers to local people every single day.”
“I aim to raise at least £2,000 for St Clare this year. We will be hosting another concert to help raise funds for St Clare called ‘My Fundraising Cabaret for the London Marathon‘. It will take place at Above the Arts Cabaret Club in Leicester Square, with West End performers, on the evening of Sunday 8 April 2018.”
“Please do come and support us. Tickets are available through the website with all proceeds going directly to St Clare. It would be lovely to have your support.”
“It has always been important to me to challenge myself and to be the best version of myself – to be brave and live all that life has to offer. After losing my Mum, I know the value of the phrase ‘life is a gift,’ and how important it is to seize the day.”
“Running the London Marathon is my way of embodying this, for Mum and for St Clare, and I will remember it for the rest of my life.”
– Tamsin
Sponsor Tamsin for London Marathon 2018
If you would like to sponsor Tamsin for her London Marathon challenge, and support St Clare Hospice, please visit her fundraising page at: www.uk.virginmoneygiving.com/TamsinDowsett
If you would like to attend Tamsin’s charity cabaret evening on Sunday 22nd April 2018, please visit: www.stclarehospice.org.uk/event/west-end-cabaret