Family run in memory of a nurse and mum

What is special about Sandie is that, as well as being one of the 800 patients cared for every year at the hospice, she had also worked at St Barnabas for 18 years as a specialist community palliative care nurse.

She was first diagnosed with breast cancer in January, 2006, but very quickly discovered that she had secondary cancer of the liver.

Despite undergoing gruelling sessions of chemotherapy every three weeks, Sandie carried on working in her capacity as community services manager of the team of eight specialist nurses visiting patients in their homes right across the area.

"Sandie loved St Barnabas," said Eddie, her devoted husband of 39 years, "It was her second home, that's how much the hospice meant to her.

"She had no hesitation in coming to St Barnabas for her end of life care.

"Everyone looked after her so well '“ and me. Her dying wish was for the family to continue supporting the hospice in any way we can and this is just one of the ways we can do that."

On Sunday, May 13, Eddie and his daughter, Nicky, her partner, Dominic, and their sons, Christopher (16) and Adam (14), will be joined at the fun run by other family members and friends, all wearing white tee shirts with a picture of Sandie on the front, to raise money for the hospice and to remember Sandie and her love for St Barnabas.

Eddie's son, Shaun, who lives in Australia with his wife Kim and one-year-old grandson, Liam, will unfortunately be unable to participate but Eddie has sent tee shirts to them and they, too, will wear them on the day in Sandie's memory.

Despite being diagnosed with heart arrhythmia, Eddie has been in training since the beginning of February, having first sought permission from his GP, and intends to run the whole seafront route from Worthing Lido to George V Avenue and back.

"For years we have marshalled the Fun Run," said Eddie, "and last year we were going to walk the route but then Sandie got sick and we couldn't.

That's why I'm going to run it this year and I know Sandie will be cheering me on."

The Fun Run has again been sponsored by Michael Jones Estate and Lettings Agents.

If you would like to join in the St Barnabas Fun Run in memory of a loved one or simply to help raise money for your local hospice, then call the events team on 01903 265824, log on to the website www.stbh.org.uk