Michelle Tate-Davies took part in the Santa Fun Run in memory of her mother Sue who received care from Katharine House Hospice in 2019.

Forty-one year old Michelle from Hook Norton said she wanted to raise money for the sanctuary that gave her mother Sue such amazing care and support in her last days.

“Katharine House made the unbearable bearable. I couldn’t imagine going through that experience anywhere else. It meant so much to her to have all her family around her. To be able to see her grandchildren.

“When the nurse first came and told her they’d managed to get her a place at Katharine House, her face just lit up. She barely ate a thing at the hospital, then when she got to the hospice, they cooked her a fish pie and a sponge with custard, and she polished off the lot!

“She just felt so much more relaxed there. She felt more human. They’re just like one big family – they welcome you into their family at the worst possible time of your life.

“Everyone knows about Katharine House, but I don’t think anyone can understand how great the work is that goes on there until you experience it first-hand.”

Sue was just 66 when she died from cancer in 2019. Michelle explains how important she was to all of their lives: “She was just one of those people that everyone liked. She didn’t like the airs and graces of life. She was all about family. She completely doted on her four grandchildren.”

Michelle, her daughter Isabelle and husband Chris have taken part in a number of fundraising events for Katharine House and said the Santa Fun run was particularly enjoyable, adding: “It was a bit chilly at first, but it soon warmed up. We had a great time!”

Katharine House Hospice

• Find out more about this year's Santa Fun Run, which will be held on Sunday 4 December 2022.
• To find out more about the work we do, read What we do or explore our For Patients and Families pages.
• To explore our fundraising events, visit Fundraising events, Challenge events and Supporter events.
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