Kelly is taking on the Great Birmingham Run for Birmingham Hospice in memory of her dad, John, who was cared for by our teams after being diagnosed with terminal oesophageal cancer in February 2025, aged 67.
Kelly reflects on the care the family received from Birmingham Hospice: “Straight away we had the care of the Clinical Nurse Specialist Team coming out and making sure Dad was okay at home. They were really friendly and supportive of Dad, getting his pain under control.”
Kelly’s dad underwent chemotherapy, with his oncologist giving him a prognosis of 12 months, but sadly he deteriorated quickly and was moved into the hospice in May.
The hospice already held memories for the family, as John’s mother (Kelly’s nan) was looked after by our teams in 1999.
Kelly was struck by how personalised the care the hospice provided was, compared to their previous experiences: “It was such a warm and inviting environment. Within half an hour, a pharmacist came to speak to him, a nurse came to check he was okay and brought him an ice pop, and a doctor visited.
“He wasn’t eating, but still every day the chef came in to ask if he wanted anything and gave lots of different options – small things like that. They were really caring to me and my sister.
“Most men at that age are proud, and things like not being able to go to the toilet he was finding really hard – but they just handled it with such dignity.”
John initially didn’t want seven-year-old granddaughter Lyla to see him in the hospice, but when they knew he was reaching his last few days, Mo from our Children’s Healing and Therapeutic Support (CHATS) Team helped Kelly with advice on how to talk to her daughter about grief. She provided them with a teddy bear, knitted hearts, a memory box and a book to allow Lyla to remember John.
Kelly reflects: “All of it was so lovely. The day Dad passed away, Mo came and spoke to me – then when I got home and had to tell Lyla, we had the teddy and she still sleeps with it now.
“They were just amazing, and I can’t thank them enough for what they did. The hospice goes above and beyond, not even just for Dad – there was a young lad next door and they were so lovely to him, and there was a lady the other side whose birthday they celebrated. You haven’t got to do those little things, but that’s what makes them exceptional.
“Me and my sister signed up for counselling [with the hospice]. They even offered it to my husband, which was so lovely as he’s not a direct relative. I had 10 weeks of counselling with Diego, and he was so amazing in terms of listening and being non-judgmental.”
Kelly and her family have continued to support the hospice, attending December’s Light Up a Life event at Selly Park. She is now taking part in the Great Birmingham Run in tribute to her dad.
Her advice for budding runners is: “You’ve got to have a reason and a purpose. I’ve ran a half marathon before, but it was 10 years ago – now with the fundraising I’ve got a reason that’s about more than just beating a time. See if you can do it with friends to start with and make sure you have a pair of practical trainers!”
Kelly’s fundraising advice is “share, share, share!”. She started her fundraising page on her dad’s birthday and has used social media to promote her run.
On the day, Kelly is most looking forward to the atmosphere: “Whether it’s raining or shining, or your feet are hurting or whatever’s happening, there are so many people there that will be cheering everyone on with sweets and banners. I also love having people who are special to me around the course.”
For more information about the Great Birmingham Run, please visit our webpage:
