Mum to embark on 130 mile walk in memory of her daughter for Sue Ryder Cheltenham
Summary
A woman whose daughter was cared for at Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice in the final days of her life is setting out on a 130-mile walk in her memory tomorrow (July 25). Julie Hardy’s daughter, Katie, who lived in Cirencester, spent the last 10 days of her life at the hospice in Cheltenham. She married her partner, Jake, there just days before she died in November last year.
Details
Now Julie, a school business manager, is taking on Katie’s Memory Walk , travelling from Katie’s childhood home in Larkfield, Kent, along footpaths, all the way to Southampton, where Katie completed an internship while studying accountancy, and where she met Jake. Along the way, she will pass through Otford, Reigate, Guildford, Farnham and Winchester.
Katie, who was only 28, was diagnosed with a rare stomach cancer after first feeling unwell in March 2023. Julie said: “I thought I would just do this for Katie. I will be setting out from Larkfield on Saturday, July 25.
I’ll be walking about 15 miles a day for nine days. It’s the furthest I’ve ever walked. I’ve booked hotels along the way, so there’s no going back now.
I’m also going to stay with two of my nieces for the last two stops, which will be lovely. “I’ve got loads of friends and family that are joining me as I walk.
My walk is to raise money for Sue Ryder but also, I hope it will help me through what has obviously been a very difficult year.” When Katie revealed on arrival at the hospice that she and Jake had just got engaged, staff pulled out all the stops to organise a special wedding day for them. Julie, who is 60, added: “Everyone at Sue Ryder was so kind, caring and compassionate. They did so much for Katie.
With her love of the outdoors, Sue Ryder made sure she could go outside, with all the necessary precautions, and we enjoyed beautiful sunsets. “They also could see when we were struggling and, when things were getting really tough, were able to support us too.
“When Katie arrived, she was asked, ‘is there anything you’d like to do while you are here?’ Without hesitation, Katie said that Jake had proposed yesterday and now wanted to get married. “They arranged a beautiful wedding for Katie and Jake in just 48 hours; it was unbelievable. I cannot even begin to tell you what an amazing day that was, a day filled with love and joy in amongst a very hard and difficult time.
What You Need to Know
I’ll be walking about 15 miles a day for nine days. It’s the furthest I’ve ever walked. I’ve booked hotels along the way, so there’s no going back now.
Report source: Punchline Gloucester