A BASILDON woman will be taking part in the weekend's London Marathon to say thanks and pay tribute to volunteers and staff at St Luke's Hospice.

Georgina Norris is taking part in Sunday's (2 October) event to raise funds for St Luke's as a way of supporting the hospice following the care and dedication shown to her parents, who both passed away recently.

Georgina says: "Where do I start with how much St. Luke's Hospice and their team mean to me?

"I cannot put into words how much they have supported me. They have helped me to support and provide the upmost care to both my parents that have passed in the last 22 months.

"My mum was diagnosed with cancer and was told she had three months to live, but she fought on for three years. I was by her side all the way and in the last year I became her carer as she became poorly.

"St Luke's' team was with Mum from the start of her journey; from diagnosis, and supported us throughout. They stepped in with looking after mum and providing the care that was needed, being at home or at the Hospice. That meant the world to me as I could be my mother's daughter again and spend quality time with mum.

"Once my mum had passed they stayed in touch and offered me different kinds of support. Once again I needed them when my dad became ill three months after Mum's passing.

"Dad sadly passed away in December last year (2021) and St Luke's were there with me again all the way from the beginning right to the end. There is nothing in this world that I can do to show how grateful I am for this wonderful team, but by running the London Marathon and raising monies for them is the least I can do.

"I won't lie, the training has been hard and at one point on my long runs I was thinking of stopping, but it was the thought of all the families that St. Luke's Hospice support during their time of need that kept me going. If they can fight and try to live as much of a normal life then I can run 26.2 miles for them.

"Thank you St Luke's Hospice for giving me the chance to show my gratitude and do something for you."

You can show support for Geeogrina by donating through her fundraising page via this link.