By Jill Stocks
A Horsforth runner will be taking on the London Marathon on Sunday, 27 April to raise money for a hospice charity in memory of her sister.
Jill Dobson lost her sister Kate at the beginning of last year. Kate, who was from Skipton, passed away at the beginning of last year, just five weeks after a brain tumour diagnosis, and in her final days was cared for in Sue Ryder Manorlands Hospice.
She is taking on the challenge as she approaches a milestone birthday, celebrating her 50th in August, and is looking forward to the event.
“The atmosphere at the London Marathon is phenomenal. Having experienced it as a spectator, I’m thrilled to now be part of it, running for Kate and supporting Sue Ryder.”
Jill says that although Kate was not there long, spending three days in their care, the support provided by Sue Ryder had a very positive effect for Kate and for the whole family at a very difficult time.
“For the first time in weeks, Kate looked comfortable and peaceful. The hospice’s homely and supportive environment offered our family solace during such a difficult time. The staff were incredibly kind and attentive, spending time with us and including Kate in conversations. The environment felt supportive, which made those final days more bearable.”
Jill will be joined on the 26.2 mile course by her nephew Kate’s son Harvey Sutcliffe. Harvey, 23, is running in London in memory of his mum and will also be raising money for Sue Ryder.
“Running the London Marathon means a lot to me not just as an achievement but for the purpose I’m running it. Sue Ryder have sadly played a large part in my life in the last year, but their involvement was a positive one. They were there when they were needed the most.
“Sue Ryder supported my family and more importantly my mum in her final days after a hard battle with an aggressive cancer. And as devastating as it was, they made it that little bit easier through their kind support and the way they treated my mum and our grieving family.
“So, I’m running the London Marathon not only in memory of my mum whose aim it was to one day run it herself, but also for a charity that does so much for so many in the hardest times. And being given the opportunity to run for the charity is a real honour.”
Whilst the training has been difficult at times Jill uses her memories of Kate as a motivation.
“My sciatica has been a challenge, along with a dodgy knee, but I’m pushing through. Many people run/walk a marathon, and my goal is to just finish the race, celebrating Kate’s memory with every step.”
“I’ve created a playlist with songs that remind me of Kate, she liked The Monkees and Huey Lewis and the News. My legs can get heavy, and I’ll want to stop, but when I hear a song that reminds me of Kate while I am running, it gives me the strength to keep going. It’ll make me smile, and I just think, ‘No, you’ve got to keep going. You’re doing this for her’.”
Jill has been supported in her training by family and friends and on Sunday she completed her last long training run accompanied by her friends Helen McTaggart and Louise Drysdale who supported her by bike as she ran along the canal from Skipton to Horsforth.
Jill’s mum Brenda Bogstra has provided emotional support.
“I’m very proud of Jill for taking on the challenge and I know that Kate will be with her all the way.”
Sue Ryder provide care across the UK for cancer patients, providing palliative care, campaigning on end of life care and providing grief support for families and friends.
They have two centres providing hospice care in Yorkshire at Manorlands in Oxenhope and Wheatfields in Headingley and Jill says their care is invaluable.
“Just based on those three days Kate spent with Sue Ryder, I know that if another family or patient can be treated that way and their final days be as peaceful as Kates, then it’s worth every penny. That thought is going to get me to that finish line.”
You can sponsor Jill and support Sue Ryder via JustGiving.