Sisters brave the mud to raise money for Hertfordshire hospice

Joanne and Louise Gray are getting ready to clamber, climb and scramble their way through the fun-filled obstacle course

Submitted by Isabel Hospice

Sisters from Hertfordshire will be taking on a fundraising challenge in memory of their brave mum, Sue.

Joanne and Louise Gray have put together a family team to take part in the Isabel Hospices Muddy Mayhem 5K fun run, where they are hoping to raise money for the team who helped to care for their mum.

Speaking about the much-needed support that her family received from the hospice, Joanne said: “The Hospice was involved throughout the last stages of Mum’s life and were fantastic in supporting us as a family. It made such a difference to have someone there listening and advising us on what was going to happen, and generally just being there for us all through what was happening.

“Mum didn’t want to be anywhere other than at home and Isabel Hospice made that possible. It was really reassuring knowing they were coming in to see her, especially when we couldn’t be there with her all the time. We always knew she was in very safe hands. They didn’t just look after her physical needs, they were there to offer mental and emotional support too, which was so important.

“It’s that personal, human approach that is so valuable. My mum was somebody to them, and they showed so much care and respect. She mattered right to the last second.”

The family-friendly 5km obstacle course will be taking place on Sunday, March 20, at the scenic Woodhall Estate in Watton at Stone, near Hertford, and is being staged in partnership with Garden House Hospice Care.

There is also a 1km Mini Muddy course for under-11s.

The money raised by the sisters will help to ensure the Hospice can continue caring for more people like Sue when they need it most.

Joanne added: “Mum always had a very positive outlook on life and was great fun so she would love that we are doing this. She’d be really happy that we have the opportunity to give back to the Hospice as thanks for everything they did for us.”

Registration opens at 10am on the day and the event starts at 12noon. There will also be stalls and caterers at the event village offering participants and spectators the chance to buy refreshments and more.

Isabel Hospice fundraiser, Lindsay Hunter, said: “We are delighted to be joining forces with our friends at Garden House Hospice Care to collaboratively bring you Muddy Mayhem. This is the first year for Isabel Hospice and we are really looking forward to seeing our supporters scramble, climb and clamber their way around the course and generally having a mud-tastic time whilst raising vital funds for our charity.”

For more information and to register, visit: https://www.isabelhospice.org.uk/events/muddymayhem/.

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